Cardinal recalls the Pope's words about the Queen
minster diocese a Mass in thanksgiving was offered and followed by the "Te Deum."
"It is with joy in our hearts that we have come together today to give thanks to Almighty God for the safe return to this country of Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the D u k e of Edinburgh," said the Cardinal.
"We thank God for all that has been accomplished in this royal mission which has so clearly enjoyed His abundant blessings. . .
`Triumphal journey
"So great has been our desire that others should share with us first-hand knowledge and personal acquaintance with Her gracious Majesty and the Duke that from afar we have been able to share in the rejoicings which have marked each stage of this triumphal journey.
"For the heart of the Commonwealth beats here in London and we share the emotions of our fellowBritishers wherever they may be.
"The royal tour has had a personal significance for each one of us. Not merely has it strengthened the link between the Crown and the Commonwealth countries; it has brought a new meaning to the relationship between all who owe allegiance to the Queen.
"Never have the bonds between us been stronger than at this moment. "But now the Queen is home again and we have been anxious to show that our welcome to Her Majesty is as enthusiastic and sincere as any she has encountered in the past few
months,
`Island family'
"The word 'home' is easily associated with the Royal Family and we with whom the Queen normally shares so intimately the fortunes of our daily existence wish her to know how proud we are of this privilege.
"Our enthusiasm is as if we were receiving her for the first time but our affection is founded on what we know her to be from the past, the loving and well-loved head of our island family.
"The loving pride of the British people in the Royal Family is real and of long standing. It is because we always picture Her Majesty with her husband and her children that we have appreciated the personal sacrifice to the Queen in undertaking this long journey, involving separation from her son and daughter.
"The recent reunion at Tobruk brought happiness not only to the royal parents but to each one of us, her subjects. Now. as a royal family. they have come home amidst great rejoicing and thankfulness.
`An inspiration
"The achievements of this royal tour have been glorious and manifold. Here was no mere fulfilment of constitutional duty. Y et Her Majesty's personal devotion to duty and to the causes which we cherish has been an inspiration to us all. "We thank God for our gracious Sovereign and pray that she may long be spared to lead us.
"May she always enjoy the happiness of her home, the affection of her family and the devotion of her peoples. "As Catholics, we are conscious that His Holiness the Pope spoke for all of us when, receiving the British Minister to the Holy Sec earlier this year, he said of our Queen : "'The Lord of all in His wise providence has placed the weight of empire on her youthful shoulders. She has accepted this burden with a courageous simplicity and unselfish spirit of devotion that have at once won the admiration and affection of her peoples throughout the British Commonwealth of Nations.'
"We know that it has been this unselfish spirit of devotion that has carried her throughout the last few months and. with the Holy Father, we pray that 'God. Who has blessed her with the joys of happy home life, may grant her reign the precious blessings of prosperity and peace'."