The Chrism Mass...

...at Westminster Cathedral was brimming with people...no room to stand at the back, and the side aisles were thronged, as were all the chapels. I sat on the marble step at the edge of the chapel where Cardinal Hume is buried. One couldn't see all of the liturgy,all happening up in the sanctuary, but one could hear perfectly - the lovely prayer as the oils are blessed, which tells of how God created the trees and all their fruits, and then all about King David - anointed with oil as King, of course - and so on... and glorious singing...there were throngs and throngs of priests, who processed in from Ambrosden Avenue, with a good crowd of young seminarians, too, which was grand to see. And we were there to greet them, with our placard saying our thanks to them, and holy cards with a lovely quote from the Holy Father...see pic above, a team from the Association of Catholic Women, with various others, and there was also a cheery group of young people from St Patrick's. Soho Square...

Afterwards, much greeting of clergy friends, and news and talk and all very delightful...then I cycled on to the City, where I delivered chocolate Easter eggs to a brother-in-law for some of my nieces...and thence back to Westminster for some Easter-gift shopping at the CTS bookshop...and thus Holy Week gathers pace...