Wednesday, April 20, 2011

...and in the evening...

...to Tunbridge Wells, for the Reception into full communion with the Catholic Church, of an Ordinariate group. Some 70 people were being recieved at this Mass, and Hayley, the young wife of the formerAnglican and soon-to-be-RC priest who is leading the group, had asked me to be her sponsor. It was an unforgettable moment standing there, my hand on her shoulder, as she was anointed.

The Anglican Patrimony includes, of course, glorious hymns, and we finished the Mass with a rousing one honouring Mary, as the candles glowed alongside her statue: Our Lady of Walsingham, under whose name and protection the new Ordinariate has been established.

The local Catholic parish had turned out in good numbers, and there was a youthful, welcoming, and warm atmosphere as the crowd poured out of the church and into the hall for drinks...later, a long late talkative supper, so much to discuss and mull over...

3 comments:

Manny said...

That sounds very moving. It must be glorious to watch the Anglicans come over, and to actually sponser one must be incredibly stirring. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

you are really funny and also too old for youth things.

Anonymous said...

Couldnt agree more with that, very attractive article