I was terribly unlucky yesterday: after staying in the pub with friends for far longer than I'd originally intended, I was caught in yet more traffic jams. I knew about the one at Blackheath (though I thought they'd only just finished digging that up fairly recently after some lorry fell down a mineshaft) and had been congratulating myself on missing that. I didn't realise that they were digging up quite a bit of the Embankment as well...
The result was that I got home a little later than anticipated. Ok, I got home a lot later than anticipated... and, true to form, I hadn't finished making the placards for the demo (well, I had bought the materials...) I also hadn't had anything to eat, as, by the time Tenebrae finished, the pub had stopped serving food.
So, at 1:30 am, I made myself a bowl of pasta, ate it... and then fell asleep. Oops... I woke up an hour later with very red eyes, and decided that it might be a good idea to take the contact lenses out, or I wouldn't be able to drive in the morning... I then needed to get up at 6 am in order to get my act together and get the placards made up...
Everything went well. I arrived in plenty of time, and without too many delays (though I am seriously considering whether I should drive in next year) and I even managed to find a convenient parking space. The first volunteers arrived, and we got ourselves organised so that the priests would get a good view of the placards (and us!) as they processed in.
A Knight of St. Columba, acting as steward, then told me that the procession would be slightly different this year, with the Cathedral Canons and the Bishops coming round the corner (more building works causing diversions!) so we moved over to another spot and marshalled our increasing forces...
The cards appeared to be very well received, and I think that the priests were heartened by the round of applause they received from the youngsters.
Right. Time's up. Have a happy and holy Triduum, and I'll be back again after the Vigil...
That was an awesome thing to do! Thank you.
ReplyDeletein a parallel universe you could defo be a Blue Peter presenter ;-)
ReplyDeleteWell done!
Have a holy Triduum
A happy and holy Easter, Mac! The Chrism procession 'demonstration' was such a lovely idea, and it was great to be part of it.
ReplyDeleteGood thing you gave me a card. I mentioned to dear Fr John that evening that I hadn't spotted him in the procession, and he confessed that he 'never' goes to the Chrism Mass, because he 'can't stand the music - guitars'!! Anyway, I think he was very touched to receive the card.