Church Army's Irene receives Maundy Money from HM the Queen at Armagh

25 March 2008

Church Army's Patron, HM Queen Elizabeth II, came face to face with one of the society's most active retired sisters as she presented Maundy purses to 164 men and women at St Patrick's Church in Armagh last week.

Sister Irene Lockett, commissioned in 1951, has previously served in mission projects as far afield as Islington, Bootle and East Africa, before ending her active service as Parish Evangelist in Willowfield, East Belfast. Irene was amongst the 82 women who received an alms purse from the Queen- the first time the ceremony has been performed outside of England and Wales.

Colin Taylor Church Army's Evangelism Resource Officer for Scotland and Ireland comments; "Although officially retired, Irene (approaching her 83 birthday in April) hosts prayer meetings at her home and regularly visits older people in local residential care homes. She remains an active member of Willowfield Church and her joy in sharing the gospel has never dimmed. It is brilliant that she has been recognised in this way for all the time she has given to others over decades of service both at home and abroad."

The word Maundy is derived from Latin and refers to Christ's commandment at the Last Supper to love one another, before he washed the feet of the disciples. The tradition of the sovereign giving alms to the poor stretches back to at least the 12th century. From the middle ages, the number of recipients, mirrors the sovereigns years.