with young people from various countries (Croatia, Nigeria, Latvia) who were in London to discuss plans for the 40 Days for Life campaign. Organiser Robert Colquhoun asked me if I would take the group on a London History Walk, and so we gathered for Mass at Westminster Cathedral and then went off down Ambrosden Avenue, and on towards the river...looking at Parliament and the Abbey and more...
We finished with a late and hearty lunch with much lively talk...v. interesting to hear the Croatians talking about their country's recent history, the civil war etc etc...
They were all rather well-informed about Britain,having studied English since primary school and being familiar with topics ranging from Henry VIII to Big Ben. They picked up nuances of language, enjoyed my dislike of "Uwwazyke" (as in some one describing a conversation concerning something astonishing: "Uuwwazyke 'yeh, that's amazing, and eewuzzyke 'yeh whatever' and uwwazyke 'yeh'...and so on and so on...). They recognised the realities of life in Britain: I dislike giving cliche versions of British history or of our current problems. The conversation was open, honest, challenging, filled with good humour, and I learned a lot.
As a thank-you gift I've been offered to choose any book I like, and I'm going to get something by von Balthasar (see previous blog posts)...
Walking back down Victoria Street after this enjoyable day I had another delightful encounter - a cheery group of sandalled grey-clad Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, just crossing the Cathedral piazza after Vespers. Warm greetings, and it was a particular pleasure to meet three new postulants, newly arrived from the USA...
...and it was all rather providential, because on my "to do" list from last week's meeting of the Towards Advent Festival planning group was "Contact Franciscan Friars of Renewal and see if they will come and speak." They are keen, so we'll have a team of them speaking at the Festival and telling us what it means to be a friar and why anyone would ditch all material luxuries, wear a patched grey robe, and pledge to serve God and the poor for the whole of life in complete obedience to whatever the mission field demands...
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