© SIP / Claude Piscitelli
The Te Deum service marked the emotional conclusion of Luxembourg's National Day, with heartfelt tributes, interfaith prayers, and a carefully curated musical programme honouring Grand Duke Henri's final 23 June as Head of State.
For several years now, the Te Deum has been the third major moment of Luxembourg's National Day, following the civil ceremony at the Philharmonie and the military parade on Avenue de la Liberté. But this year it carried special weight, as it marked Grand Duke Henri's final 23 June as Head of State – so the service felt like a gentle au revoir.
After the Wilhelmus – the Grand Ducal anthem – and a warm welcome from Cardinal Hollerich, the ceremony began with an interfaith prelude. Prayers were offered by Alain Nacache, Chief Rabbi of Luxembourg; Hafiz Hilmija ef. Redžić, Head of the Muslim Community in Luxembourg; and the Reverend Geoff Read, Chaplain of the Anglican Church in Luxembourg.
A powerful address from the Cardinal
Much anticipation surrounded the Archbishop's sermon. Speaking directly to the Grand Duke, Cardinal Hollerich said that after 25 years of service, it was clear he had embodied the symbolic strength of his office in the finest way.
Hollerich described Henri as a man of strong conscience, refinement, and tact – someone with a deep sense of responsibility. These qualities, he noted, had not always made the role easy, but it was precisely that unwavering sense of duty that had carried him through.
The Grand Duke, he added, had always served the nation and its people faithfully. "If Luxembourg had a different form of government, we would lose something of great value", he said, describing Henri's reign as a service of remarkable depth and dedication, for which he expressed sincere thanks.
He also honoured the commitment of the Grand Ducal couple, stating that a society can only be considered truly strong, civilised, and noble when every individual is seen, respected, and honoured.
A carefully chosen musical programme
The music selected for the Te Deum was no less symbolic, reinforcing the solemnity and meaning of the moment. Each piece reflected themes of dignity, remembrance, and national pride.
The programme began with For the Fallen by Canadian composer Eleanor Daley, set to a 1914 poem by Laurence Binyon, followed by Praise to the King, the Lord of All We See, arranged by Antony Baldwin to the melody of Highland Cathedral – a personal favourite of Grand Duke Henri, performed by the choir as a special tribute.
This was the same piece played with bagpipes at the funeral of Grand Duke Jean.
The music continued with Domine salvum fac and Sonnerie Nationale, both by Fernand Mertens, then the traditional Gregorian hymn Te Deum laudamus, followed by In te Domine speravi by Jos Kinzé. The ceremony concluded with the national anthem Ons Heemecht by Jean-Antoine Zinnen and Sonata No 2 by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy.
With the final notes echoing through the cathedral, this moving ceremony brought to a close a deeply meaningful and historic National Day. A special mass with an integrated Te Deum will be held in the cathedral on Sunday, 5 October, to mark the formal transition of the throne.
