Cardinal Heenan

This fine picture of Cardinal Heenan shows him in the sitting room at Archbishop's House. In the background can be seen the Pugin Mitre.

Born 26 January 1905, of Irish parents, John Carmel Heenan studied at St Ignatius College, Stamford Hill, and aged 17 moved to Ushaw seminary near Durham. At the age of 19 he entered the Venerable English College in Rome. Ordained in 1930, he was sent to St Ethelburga’s, Barking, in Essex. In 1951 John Carmel Heenan was named Bishop of Leeds. There, he revitalized the diocese, choosing to live close to his people. In 1957, he moved to Liverpool as Archbishop, where he launched a competition to build a new Cathedral, resulting in the consecration of the famous Metropolitan Cathedral in 1967. However, by 1963 Archbishop Heenan had moved to Westminster - he is shown arriving at the Cathedral, below - and in 1965 was created Cardinal.

Cardinal Heenan attended the Vatican Council from 1962 – 1965, and was cautious yet determined about implementing its decisions in his diocese. He furthered ecumenical dialogue through his warm friendship with the Chief Rabbi and the Archbishop of Canterbury. Below, he is shown with Michael Ramsey, Archbishop of Canterbury, during his ground-breaking visit to Westminster Cathedral in 1968.
s

In 1967 Cardinal Heenan suffered a serious illness and for the remainder of his life battled ill-health. He died on 7 November 1975 aged 70. At his own wish he was buried in the nave of the Cathedral (below), close to the people he had served, so that he might be assured of their prayers. His galero (Cardinal's hat) hangs above his tomb.

s

Thornton's Advertisement - Cardinal Place

The advertisement for Thornton's Chocolates was filmed across the road from the Cathedral, you can access it here.

December Sun

A run of cold, clear days - very picturesque, but freezing. The ancient and inefficient heating system in the Cathedral baredly takes away the chill ..

The Tug-o-War Team

I came across this photograph yesterday, from my earlier stint at the Cathedral. Each summer there is a Parliamentary Tug-o-War for charitable purposes. As a preliminary heat, Westminster Cathedral was challenged by Westminster Abbey. We practised during the summer in the playground with a trainer from the nearby army barracks. I recall straining at a rope tied to an ancient tree in the choir school playground. We came away victorious on the day - although our opponents were composed mostly of choristers, making it rather a push-over (or, indeed, pull-over).

Above, the victorious Olympians, among whom may be recognised (in the front) Maureen Scammell, Brenda Roberts (now diocesan vice-Chancellor), Sally McAllister and our young organ scholar - now Fr Gerard Skinner, parish priest of North Harrow.

Behind them kneels the then Master of Music, James O'Donnell, (now, ironically, occupying the same post at Westminster Abbey) and, in the middle, Gordon Wilkinson, Cathedral Security Guard.

At the back, from the left, Mgr (now Bishop) George Stack, (Administrator), John Lee (Diocesan Schools' Finance), Michael Parkinson (Cathedral intern), Hal Broadbent, with your humble servant at the rear.

"He peers through the Lattice .."

The sun was doing this yesterday to the screen of the Grand Organ, bringing to mind the Song of Songs ...

Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete)

With the wreath - perhaps only temporarily - returned to the sanctuary because of extra nave seating, the third candle is lighted. This candle, pink or rose in colour, marks the halfway stage of Advent, when we anticipate some of the joy of Christmas. It is known as Gaudete Sunday after the opening words of the entrance antiphon: "Gaudete in Domino semper" - rejoice in the Lord always.

The lightening of the tone extends to the altar hangings and vestments: above, the Blessed Sacrament chapel, and below, chasubles and copes laid out ready in the sacristy.

There is an equivalent Sunday, halfway through Lent, known as Laetare Sunday, when the rigours of the Lenten Fast may be abated.
s

Job Well Done

It is the traditional task of the incumbent Organ Scholar to decorate the Clergy House Christmas Tree. Oliver Brett made short work of it, and then sat down to mark some homework. His results have won wide approval!