| Description | A black and white photograph of Cardinal Bourne who can be seen kneeling while kissing a large crucifix which is being held by the Abbot of Buckfast. A pencilled caption on the reverse side of the image reads ' The Cardinal kissing the crucifix proffered by the Abbot at the entrance to the church.' A second caption written in ink reads 'Abbot Vonier receiving Cardinal Bourne, Papal Legate for the consecration 24.8.32.' The image was taken on 25 August 1932, the day of the consecration of the Abbey Church at Buckfast Abbey. The construction of the church had taken 25 years and by the time this image was taken, all but the upper section of the tower had been completed. Cardinal Bourne was nominated by Pope Piux XI to attend the event as Papal Legate, and in the image he is being officially received by The Rt Rev Anscar Vonier. Also taking part in the ceremony were five archbishops, 16 bishops, as well as a large number of priests (source: Ave Maria - First Vespers of the Solemnity of Our Lady of Buckfast: The Choir of Buckfast Abbey by Philip Arkwright). The service was broadcast by the BBC. The reverse side of the image has also been stamped by The Secretary for Publications, St Mary's Abbey, Buckfast, South Devon.
Image size 177 mm x 230 mm |