Glorious...

...really glorious. A beautiful church, magnificent music, strong voices united in the timeless words of the Liturgy, an atmosphere of great reverence and prayer with a packed-to-capacity congregation...that was St Patrick's, Soho Square, today as history was made with two new priests being ordained into the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. It is always moving and impressive to see a young man prostrate before the altar, pledging his life in service to God. And there is a sense of awe as the Bishop lays hands on the ordinand's head, a profound reminder of a unity in faith that goes all the way back to the Apostles... Mgr Keith Newton preached, long lines of communicant approached the altar rails with reverence, there was magnificent singing - I don't think I've ever heard the Pater Noster sound so superb - and the day sent out a message of youth and hope. Afterwards, the two new young priests dispensed blessings galore, and there was food and wine and talk and a happy time...