...at Westminster somehow had a special quality this year...as the Cardinal spoke briefly and solemnly of the great fire at Notre Dame and I think we all had a quiet sense of what a cathedral means...
The Mass is always packed - people sitting in all the side-chapels and standing in the aisles and crammed in at the back...the long column of priests looks rather splendid as is makes its way up Ambrosden Avenue, and a group of us had, as usual, gathered to say "Thank you" to them for the service they give: we hand out small holy cards and this year's had a quote from Bl John Henry Newman...
Of course we had all, like millions world-wide, watched the drama of the Paris fire on our computers or TVs last night...the intensely powerful scenes of Parisians spontaneously on their knees, praying the Rosary, the haunting voices in song and in prayer "Sainte Marie, Mere de Dieu, priez pour nous..."
And their prayers have been answered: it what seems an almost miraculous way, Notre Dame l has survived intact, and the great golden cross gleams anew across a scene that is messy but certainly not devastated. Teamwork and heroism saved important treasures as they were carried out in hand-by-hand human chains. And the Cathedral will be restored and this will all be part of the long and continuing story of the Faith in France.
Some one tweeted with smug assurance "The West has fallen" and announced that the fire symbolised the end of Christianity in Europe. Not so. It brought Paris to its knees in prayer, the cathedral has been saved, and the world saw a France many thought had disappeared.The young voices singing, the goodwill messages from around the world, the sense of human unity...and the saga unfolds anew.
This evening as I made my way home across Westminster Bridge, the Abbey bell was tolling out in solidarity with Notre Dame, a kind gesture.
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3 comments:
Dear Joanna. Why was this Chrism Mass celebrated on Holy Tuesday and not on Holy Thursday as tradition has it? Is there a rule which allows the Chrism Mass to be celebrated earlier in Holy Week? Our cathedral always holds the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday morning, no matter what. It is the only Mass celebrate in the entire diocese on the morning of Holy Thursday, a tradition which has been kept by all of our bishops. I hope you will have a blessed Easter Triduum and Easter season.
It is difficult for priests from the outer parts of the diocese to get to the Chrism Mass and then back to their own churches in time for the Maundy Thursday (evening) Mass of the Lord's Supper. This also applies in Southwark where the diocese stretches down to the Kent coast. So for many years the Chrism Mass in both cases is earlier in Holy Week. This is not forbidden and makes for a glorious Mass which all can attend. J.
Oh I so agree with your comments dear Joanna about Notre Dame and yes it was inspiring to see the bravery of the firefighters and the dear priest all working to save so much. Even more to see so many young people praying and singing. It give us all heart and brings home to us how much we share with the Catholics and indeed the people of France.
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