Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

Sometimes it's said that the British are particularly good at public funerals. But could anything match the send-off given to Otto von Habsburg? Especially the final act, the arrival at the Capuchin church.

I must have missed it !

J.R. wrote:I must have missed it !

You can watch on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slcJRqox1gI (about 4 mins).

The official knocks at the door, and the Franciscan within asks "Who desires entry?"

The official then reads out an absurdly long list of archaic titles, whereupon the Franciscan replies: "Never heard of him."

Then the official knocks again, and reads out some more modern titles (honorary doctorates, father of the EU parliament, patron of this and that charity, and such like.) Again the Franciscan says: "Never heard of him."

The official knocks a third time, and in answer to the question: "Who desires entry?", replies: "Otto, a mortal and sinful human being." Whereupon the Franciscan says: "We shall admit him."

...and his heart is buried in Hungary.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14176471

michael scuffil wrote:

J.R. wrote:I must have missed it !

You can watch on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slcJRqox1gI (about 4 mins).

The official knocks at the door, and the Franciscan within asks "Who desires entry?"

The official then reads out an absurdly long list of archaic titles, whereupon the Franciscan replies: "Never heard of him."

Then the official knocks again, and reads out some more modern titles (honorary doctorates, father of the EU parliament, patron of this and that charity, and such like.) Again the Franciscan says: "Never heard of him."

The official knocks a third time, and in answer to the question: "Who desires entry?", replies: "Otto, a mortal and sinful human being." Whereupon the Franciscan says: "We shall admit him."

We Franciscans have such a way at getting to the important things!