In the Oration, the Public Orator, Dr Jonathan Katz of Brasenose College, spoke of the patron of the Hall, Edmund Campion, reminding everyone that he was Oxford’s first Public Orator who gave the Commencement speech in the presence of Queen Elizabeth in 1566. The Public Orator also mentioned the Hall’s 125th anniversary and encouraged everyone to come and see the recently installed Noli me tangere painting in the chapel. In a play on words, he encouraged all to come to see the painting ‘and be touched by it.’
The full quote here:
“Lunatics that we are, we may in any case prefer moon to sun. I am reminded by the Master of Campion Hall that my admired and lamented predecessor, Oxford’s first Public Orator, Edmund Campion, a hero of mine ever since, as a teenager, I first read Evelyn Waugh’s biography of him, gave a speech coram regina, that is to say in front of Queen Elizabeth I, at Commencement, as it was then called, on 27 June 1566. Campion compared the relation of the monarch to the University to that of the moon to the seas, and thereby stylishly managed to honour the Queen while also registering a plea for distant government.”
“Campion Hall, our esteemed Jesuit foundation, has marked its 125th year, among other ways, by hospitably receiving on long-term loan from All Souls the fine altar piece by Anton Raphael Mengs, now returned after its sojourns in the Ashmolean and the National Gallery. It is a Noli me tangere. Do go along, admire this wonder, and be touched by it.”
Later on his Oration, Dr Katz turned the eyes of his audience to the ceiling of the Sheldonian, with its 17th century portrayal of the heavens. ‘Look through, Ad Astra, to the stars, and aspire to join them. Truth, and virtue – let’s say the ethical . You know, Socrates is out there somewhere, enjoying sublime weather and a good interfaith chat with Edmund Campion and others.’
