...something glorious.
We were squashed together, packed like sardines. My bulky suitcase got in everyone's way. "What have you got in there?" some one asked, attempting to heave it to one side to get a bit more room for feet. "Well, actually" I said "It's books. Prizes for a children's project." "What's the project?" he asked, so I told him. A handwriting and artwork thing: children have to write out the Lord's Prayer "So many just don't know it today, which seems a pity." "Well, I know it" he said, and began, tentatively at first and then with growing confidence: "Our Father, who art in Heaven..." and then others joined in, and then others "...hallowed be Thy name, Thy Kingdom come...Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven..."
A chorus of men's strong voices, rising above the rattle of the train, in the noisy rush-hour, in the heart of London, roaring towards Southwark tube station,..."Give us this day our daily bread...forgive us our trespasses..." and somehow, suddenly, it was a moment of transcendent glory.
We rattled into the station ("change here for Waterloo East") and they poured out, the last words of the prayer lost in the rush and the hubbub...and with a wave and grin it was all over...
Something glorious.
Amen.
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3 comments:
Love this story! I used to live in NYC but cannot imagine this happening on the subway there!
I am a fan from the USA-I have seen you many times on EWTN. I was just checking out your books on Amazon.com... but don't see any that cover pilgrimages in the UK. Do you have one? We are planning on visiting this summer - probably flying into Birmingham and visiting Our Lady of Walsinham - but what else for a Catholic is a "must see" in driving distance!? Any help (or recommended titles of guide books) would be lovely! Thank you! God bless!
Lil G
What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it, Joanna. I was born in South East England before our part of Surrey became part of Greater London. My primary school (Reedham Park) was just the type to give out books as prizes. I now live in Ireland and like Gloraykid, am thinking of making a trip to the UK this Summer. I am hoping to visit Walsingham again, this time with my husband and five children, so I would be very interested in anything you might recommend.
God bless and thank you for your insights into an England that many would fear to have been lost forever.
Kee
What a glorious blessing for you and all involved! Deo Gratias!
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