...the church of St James, Spanish Place, in London, where the Association of Catholic Women held its annual meeting at the weekend. I went along with Mother - a most enjoyable and interesting day. There was an talk from Mgr Langham of Westminster Cathedral, giving a sort of "behind the scenes" view of Cathedral life and explaining the role of a cathedral in relation to the diocese and the parishes, and then a wonderful look at some traditional English shrines of Our Lady in an illustrated talk by Anne Vail, whose book on the subject (published by Gracewing) is the fruit of a great deal of careful research and an evident love of her subject. I had not known there was once "Our Lady of Coventry" and "Our Lady of Doncaster". I did know about Our Lady of Caversham, as we have been there more than once, and indeed one of my godsons made his First Communion there.The church's address is always given as Spanish Place, because of its historic links - its predecessor was a Spanish embassy chape. The present magnificent building retains strong links with Spain, the Ambassador attending an annual Mass in honour of St James, etc - but it is really in George Street, in that slightly villagey part of London around Marylebone High Street and not far from Baker Street. There is a fine statue of Sherlock Holmes near Baker Street tube station. Oddly, the only time I have ever had my handbag grabbed from me by a thief in a London street was in Baker Street, near Holmes' fictional home.
After the AGM, Mother was met by my brother who took her off for a family weekend at their new home.
The ACW has had a successful year, with activities ranging from fund-raising for a clinic for children with Downs, to organising the annual Religious Education project for primary schools...oh, and we'll be running, as usual, the refreshments at the Towards Advent Festival on November 3rd at Westminster Cathedral Hall (some of my blackberry jam on sale). Weve had correspondence with various Government departments about such horrors as the revolting and vicious notion that gravely ill pateints should be denied water in hospital
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Hugh Latimer, first Protestant bishop of Worcester took great delight in seeing the destruction of the venerated image of "Our Lady of Worcester", whose cult, in former times, he declared, had sent many souls to hell!
Ecumneically-speaking, I think it is a great grace that not only Our Lady of Walsingham, but also, Our Lady of Grace (Ipswich) brings non-Catholics to the funlness of the Truth. I wonder how many of the Anglican pilgrims who travel from Ipswich to Nettuno remain Anglicans?
I forgot also to mention the beautifully restored shrine of our Lady of Egmanton in Nottinghamshire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egmanton). It's very popular with Anglo-Catholics, but I am not aware of any Roman Catholic devotion, at present. The medieval church itself is stunning, having been beautified by the late, great Sir Ninian Comper. Well worth a visit should you find yourself in that part of the world.
My favourite bicycle itinerary: breakfast in Egmanton; lunch in Southwell (and a visit to the Minster, dedicated to Our Lady); tea in Newark (and a visit to one of England's largest parish churches, the medieval S Mary Magdalene, with its 223' spire) and supper in beautiful Lincoln (where the shrine of Our Lady of Lincoln - the patroness of the minster - is being restored, with I understand, assistance from the Guild of Our Lady of Ransom).
BTW, you've probably noticed a trend through this comment: faith and food. :-)
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