We join people across the world in mourning and remembering Queen Elizabeth II. To our friends in the UK, we send our prayers and support as you mourn her passing. Our condolences and prayers go to the royal family as they mourn the loss of a mother, a grandmother and a great grandmother.

We remember Queen Elizabeth II as the ultimate representation of dignity, devotion and perseverance. She is a symbol of tradition, morality and values. As a Catholic organization, we also mourn the Queen’s passing as the head of the Church of England as well as a unifying person across all races and religions. It is the end of an era in history as we lose such a stabilizing force for the world. 

New Yorkers Pay Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

New Yorkers have been paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II outside the British consulate in Manhattan. There is also a condolence book inside the consulate. A memorial is growing there as more people pay their respects to the Queen.

Queen Elizabeth II: A Unifying Person

Queen Elizabeth II died peacefully at the age of 96 on Thursday, September 8, 2022. As we mourn her passing, we celebrate her legacy as the longest-reigning female head of state in history. She began her service at the young age of 25 when the world was just recovering from World War II. Through over 70 years of her reign, she has shown unwavering determination. She serves as a prime example of great leadership. She is also the longest-lived and longest-reigning monarch of the UK and the Commonwealth realms. 

A True Representative of Service to her Country

The Queen was inspired by Jesus Christ who said that he did not come to be served but to serve. On her 21st birthday, she spoke of her intention to serve her country and people. In a 1947 speech in South Africa, she said “I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.” She served up until the end as this past Tuesday she swore in her 15th prime minister of Britain, Liz Truss.  

Queen Elizabeth II and Faith

Queen Elizabeth II mentions Jesus Christ in many of her appearances and broadcasts. Below we remember some of her most poignant references to the example of faith in her own life and role:

‘Pray for me … that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve Him and you, all the days of my life.’
– Queen Elizabeth II’s First Christmas Broadcast in 1952

 ‘For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life.’
– Queen Elizabeth II’s Christmas Broadcast in 2000

 ‘I hope that, like me, you will be comforted by the example of Jesus of Nazareth who, often in circumstances of great adversity, managed to live an outgoing, unselfish and sacrificial life … He makes it clear that genuine human happiness and satisfaction lie more in giving than receiving; more in serving than in being served.’
– Queen Elizabeth II’s Christmas Broadcast in 2008

‘We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and draw comfort that – even on the darkest nights – there is hope in the new dawn. Jesus touched on this with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The man who is robbed and left at the roadside is saved by someone who did not share his religion or culture. This wonderful story of kindness is still as relevant today. Good Samaritans have emerged across society showing care and respect for all, regardless of gender, race or background, reminding us that each one of us is special and equal in the eyes of God.’
– Queen Elizabeth II’s Christmas Broadcast in 2020

A New Royal Dawn

A new royal dawn is upon us. Like many, we wonder what the future holds for the monarchy. We await the coronation of King Charles III and pray for his peaceful transition. We hope that he may uphold the beautiful example his mother set for him. It is with a heavy heart that we say our final goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II. The world will not be the same without her.