The Cathedral Clergy - January 1914

1st row (sitting) left to right: Fr Hall, Dr Driscoll, Monsignor Canon Moyes DD, Monsignor Canon Howlett DD (Administrator), Fr Brown (sub-Administrator) and Fr Sheehan.
2nd row (standing): Fr Reardon, Fr Russell, Fr Reany, Fr Beckett, Fr Smith and Fr Craven
Back row (standing): Fr Horgan, Fr Collings, Mr R R Terry (Master of Music), Fr Williams, Fr White and Fr McKenna

The Chaplains wear their grey fur cappas (still in use, as seen here, although very much moth-eaten nowadays!); the Canons the white fur cappas, which have recently been replaced by silk, as featured recently.

Mgr Howlett, also seen in a splendid photograph here, was Administrator from 1905 to 1947. His sub-Administrator Fr Charles Brown (whom Mgr Norris affectionately remembers as 'Charlie Brown') was similarly long lived, and will be the subject of a future post.

All Nations' Fiesta

A few images of the Fiesta held yesterday in the Cathedral Hall, celebrating the diverse cultures and communites that make up the Cathedral parish.

Through music, dress and (especially) food, different groups offered a taste (literally) of the wonderful richness of the diverse groups who comes regularly to the Cathedral. That breadth has expanded considerably in the last year, with new members from eastern Europe swelling our congregation.

The event, wonderfully arranged by willing volunteers under the guidance of Fr Dwayne, raised funds in support of our twin parish in Equador.

Post-Easter Break

I am away until 14 May, and will be taking a break from the blog until then.

The Martyrs of the London Charterhouse

Last evening, I celebrated one of the most moving liturgies of my priesthood, as the clergy and choristers of Westminster Cathedral celebrated Vespers at the London Charterhouse - the first public Catholic ceremony to be held there since the Reformation.

Following Vespers, we processed to the Garden of the Charterhouse, to the site of the monastic Church. There, before the plaque commemorating the martyrs, stands a model of the Tyburn scaffold. As the name of each martyr was read aloud, a member of the current Charterhouse came forward and placed a rose in the model.

As we concluded, the bells from the nearby Church of St Bartholomew the Great started ringing. They are the oldest peal in the country, having been installed in 1510 - therefore, they would have been familiar to the Carthusian martyrs.

Following the martyrdom of 18 members of the Charterhouse - the largest and most impressive resistance to Henry VIII's reformation - the Charterhouse was suppressed in 1540, and became a town-house and school. Then in the early 17 century, it became a house for elderly gentlemen, in which form it continues. The current Master, James Thomson, is keen to revive the memory of the martyrs, and organised today's event.

The building retains fascinating - and unexpected - relics of its former role. Above is the last remaining door from the cloister into a monastic cell. It was in this house that Thomas More tried his vocation as a monk, living in a cell just like this.

This image shows the outline of the monastic Church, where Prior John Houghton led the community in a Mass of the Holy Spirit, to strengthen them for the trial to come. It was a deeply moving experience to stand in this holy ground, and amid an ecumenical gathering, to give honour to the martyrs.

This plaque, near where the high altar of the monastic church used to stand, records the names of the martyrs - who were honoured yesterday. I was especially moved as one of the names mentioned was not a Carthusian; Fr John Hale, parish priest of Isleworth. I was born in Isleworth, and know well the old Church there. Fr Hale was the only secular priest to be martyred in the Henrican reformation. He went to the scaffold on this day with Prior John Houghton.

mmmm

The link with the London Charterhouse is precious, and a great witness to our Catholic history. More photographs of Vespers last night will be posted soon.

Flowers for Lord Forte

The flowers for the Memorial Mass for Lord Charles Forte reached (literally) new heights! The Cardinal celebrated Mass in a packed Cathedral, with a roll-call of guests that itself scales the summit of society:

Anne Duchess of Norfolk, the Duke of Marlborough, the Duchess of Somerset, the Earl of Gainsborough, Viscountess Hambleden, Lord Charles Churchill, Baroness Thatcher, LG, OM, Lord Strathclyde, Lady Soames, Lord and Lady Powell of Bayswater, Lord and Lady Sainsbury of Preston Candover, Lord and Lady Rees-Mogg, Lord and Lady Rothschild, Lady McAlpine of West Green, Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, Lord and Lady Palumbo.

Not bad for someone who came to Britain from Italy aged three, and began his career in a milk bar in the Strand! May he rest in peace.

Two New Canons

The Provost, Canon Michael Brockie, yesterday installed two new Canons of the Cathedral Chapter, Fr Stuart Wilson (left) and Fr Colin Davies (right). I was particularly proud as Fr Stuart had been once my curate at Bayswater parish. Even then, I knew he was destined for greatness - having had a long and distinguished career in the Church of England.

The new Canons here stand next to Bishop Alan Hopes, auxiliary in Westminster. They are wearing the new Cappas recently adopted by the Chapter, a simplified version of the former Cappa and train.

The Westminster Cathedral Chapter has a long and colourful history; soon after its establishment in the 1860s, it almost led the diocese into schism! Details of the Errington affair will fill several posts, so must wait until the quieter days of summer.

Like all Chapters, the Canons were deprived of most of their executive powers by Pope Paul VI, and the title became honorific, usually bestowed on long-serving priests throughout the diocese. Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor has (as is his right) made the Chapter his College of Consultors, a body which advises him. Non-resident at the Cathedral, they come once a month for a meeting, and to sing the liturgy. One of their responsibilities is oversight of the Cathedral, and once a year I must make a report to them; I hope my former curate will not be too hard on me!

The Rays of the Spirit

Morning light floods the Cathedral - seen from the north gallery.