Tuesday, September 14, 2010

EXCELLENT...

...lecture given by author Brian Gail at Westminster Cathedral Hall, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Westminster in the John Paul II Theology of the Body series, run by Edmund Adamus.

The lecture was challenging, thought-provoking, inspiring. Brian Gail pointed to the grim reality of what has occurred with the destruction of our understanding of the covenant bond of marriage and the awesome sharing in God's gift of new life. He called for a fresh and invigorating look at this whole subject, a wholescale turning to God. It was gripping stuff, and it brought prolonged applause, followed by people milling about to talk, to look at his book (it's a terrific read!)and the discuss what he had said...

Edmund Adamus is doing a superb job in the diocese, and gives practical support, encouragement, information, and help to all who are working for Christian family life. This lecture series is just one of the projects he has launched, and this evening really was splendid.

And these are momentous days as we await the arrival of the successor of St Peter to Britain...

This has been an extraordinary week so far...yesterday I had the experience of walking into Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament with a couple of friends and being able to say that here, in the place where St Thomas More was condemned to death for refusing to support King Henry VIII in breaking the unity of the Church with Rome, a Pope would be addressing the British nation.

Today, I cycled up to Wimbledon to check out the roadside opposite the Apostolic Nunciature, where crowds of us will gather on Thursday night to greet Pope Benedict as he arrives. We'll have candles and lanterns and posters of welcome, and we'll be singing and praying...

5 comments:

Clare@ BattlementsOfRubies said...

Gracious me you are an efficient blogger!
I was there too. And I spotted you and would have said hello but didn't get the opportunity..
I was the lady at the back trying to keep the baby quiet.
And I got some Papal visit posters from the table at the back!

justin said...

i want to go on thursday. how do i get from wimbledon station to the nunciature?

Clare@ BattlementsOfRubies said...

Robert of Love Undefiled has put a recording of the talk up on his blog here


That's Marie-Aibhlinn you can hear chirupping in the background.

Joanna Bogle said...

Justin: from Wimbledon station get the 200 bus up the hill. Then walk from Wimbledon village. Go to the War Memorial and ask for Parkside. It is a long road running alongside the Common. Walk along until you get to number 54 - you will see the crowds gathered there. It is a longiush walk. Wear comfortable shoes. There are houses on one side of the road, the Common on the other.

Joanna Bogle said...

Clare: thank you so much for your nice comments. The baby was delightful! No one minded some cheery baby-noises at a talk on family and marriage!

Auntie J.