"Dear attendees, honoured friends and guests, It is a great honour for me, Peter Hannecaert, alderman of Antwerp, to address you here today, in this sacred space, where the silence bears witness to centuries of faith and devotion. On 14 March 1631, I married Catherine Fourment in St. James's Church, thus becoming the brother-in-law of Peter Paul Rubens, whom you all know well. In our city of Antwerp, rich in art, trade and piety, I wish to leave a lasting mark of our reverence for the Blessed Sacrament and of the many distinguished visitors who honour our cathedral and chapel with their presence. That is why I have chosen to have a special book made — a book that serves as a tangible reminder of those who came here to pray, admire and bear witness to their faith. This book, which we call the Golden Book, has preserved the signatures, or rather the coats of arms, of our noble guests for centuries. Each coat of arms is a silent testimony to the person who expressed their devotion here. Already, the coat of arms of Nikolaas Rockox, our wise mayor, adorns the book alongside that of Her Majesty Maria de' Medici, Queen of France, and Her Serene Highness Isabella, Governor of the Netherlands. Prince Ferdinand of Austria and many other dignitaries have also left their mark in this book. More than three hundred coats of arms and signatures fill the pages, accompanied by elegant illustrations by renowned masters such as Frans Francken and Abraham van Diepenbeeck, a pupil of our great Rubens. The Golden Book is not merely a collection of names; it is a living monument to our religious and social life, a source for posterity and a tribute to all who recognise the greatness of our faith and our city. May this book, with God's blessing, be an eternal sign of connection between heaven and earth, between man and God, and between all souls who come together here in faith. Thank you."
