Sunday, October 12th, 2025 – The Belgian Delegation gathered for the annual celebration in the Cathedral of St. James on Coudenberg.
The Pontifical Mass was celebrated in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Laurent of Belgium, Bailiff Grand Cross of our illustrious Order. The celebrant was His Excellency Most Reverend Monsignor Bernardito Auza, Titular Archbishop of Suacia and Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union; concelebrants included Monsignor Willem van der Valk, Representative of our Order in the Netherlands; Monsignor Jean-Baptiste Itaruma, Counsellor at the Apostolic Nunciature to the European Union; the Reverend Pleban Thierry Vander Poelen of the Cathedral of St. James on Coudenberg; and our fellow brother, the Reverend Abbot Andy Penne, parish priest of Holsbeek. His Serene Highness Prince Charles-Louis d’Arenberg, Knight Grand Cross of Justice and Delegate for the Kingdom of Belgium, assisted by Consul General Gunnar Riebs, Knight Grand Cross of Merit and Vice Delegate for the Kingdom of Belgium, welcomed all the distinguished guests. After the religious ceremony, the Knights of the Order and other guests attended a formal lunch at the “Cercle Royal Gaulois”.