...doesn't look like this at the moment, the front entrance currently muddled with by fencing, workmen's huts, and stacks and stacks of equipment...and inside the whole is dominated by the MOST ENORMOUS ARRAY OF SCAFFOLDING YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE, up and up and up to the roof itself... all neccessary because of massive repairs and renewal of the whole electric lighting system. It's urgently necessary because the lighting system was set up in 1902, and hasn't really had any renovation since...We gathered, holding flickering candles, for prayer at the tomb of St John Southworth, hero priest of the Plague era. The sung evening Mass had just finished, and the air was still scented with incense. The Scripture reading reminded us about not being afraid "to give an account of the hope that is in us". The skeletal scaffolding and layer upon layer of planking leading up to the great darkness above made the cathedral seem especially awesome. Out into the rainy night and round to the cheerful hall, where people settled for a talk given by Auntie about St John Southworth and our other London martyrs. Attendance was good, we netted a comfortable sum for the Friends of Westminster Cathedral, there was lots of lively talk over wine afterwards.
It was a most wonderful experience to be speaking at an event connected to this great cathedral which, for me as for so many other Catholic Londoners, holds so many memories. Long ago - oh, long ago - I stood in that great aisle, holding a flag at a Girl Guide parade, and looked up at that vast dark ceiling and then down to the great glowing sanctuary, from where Benediction was given, and across to the packed cathedral, hundreds and hundreds of people at prayer. Unforgettable. Times without number, throughout my adult life, I've dropped into the Cathedral for a weekday Mass, for confession, to say a quick Rosary, to meet a friend...day after day people go in and out - there are queues for confession, people lighting candles, packed Sunday Masses, a Blessed Sacrament chapel where there are always people kneeling...
The cathedral is a great reminder of the presence of God and an absolutely crucial place for the Faith in our country. The repairs are costing a terribly worrying amount of money - and at the moment the funds just aren't there. Please, please help.
2 comments:
Joanna,
it's not so much about the lighting as about making sure that the domed vaults do not suddenly collapse! They were badly shaken during WWII and patched up after, but a recent structural inspection revealed that they were in a very precarious state. Hence the extensive (and expensive) work. As you are aware any donations from your readers to the Cathedral Appeal Fund would be gratefully received.
How loveklt to hear you talk of the Guide parades.. It was a long walk from the Mall. One year i was due to carry the standard,, did all the prep and the dear lady concerned forgot to bring it!!! imagine the tears of a 14year old. The next year I was the only standard bearer having just got my Queen's. Mine wa a school company, what about yours? Also sorry coudn't make the talk last night. Liz.
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