THE P RTAL
July 2014
Joanna Bogle DSG
This is
advance notice. An opportunity to witness for the
Faith in our capital city. An event of special importance for
members of the Ordinariate. Read on.
After the visit of Pope Benedict
XVI to Britain in September 2010,
which turned out to be such a
magnificent success, some of us felt
that we ought to have an annual
commemoration. We decided to
link it to the feast of Blessed John
Henry Newman which falls in early
October. And so began the “Two
Cathedrals” procession through
London. It is a Procession of the
Blessed Sacrament, which starts
at Westminster Cathedral, and
finishes with Benediction at St
George’s Cathedral, Southwark.
Saturday 18th October
This year’s Procession will take
place on SATURDAY October 18th
starting at 1.30pm at Westminster
Cathedral. Mark the date now, and
arrange to come. Altar servers are
especially urged to attend: BRING
COTTA AND CASSOCK and
report to the Cathedral sacristy in
good time for a 1.30pm start.
Auntie Jo a n
Two Cathedrals
procession
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family groups – bring children,
grandchildren,
push-chairs.
Everyone gets a booklet and when
we run out of hymns, we simply
start them again.
If you feel you cannot manage the
full walk, you could simply join us at
St George’s – opposite the Imperial
War Museum, nearest Tube station
Waterloo or Lambeth North. But
it is the walking that is the best
part, and you don’t want to miss it.
Come and witness to the Faith, and
thank God for Blessed John Henry
Newman, for an unforgettable Papal
visit, for our beloved Benedict XVI
who gave us the Ordinariate, and
for so much more.
ideal for family groups
Ordinariate members have been
part of the Procession from its
earliest days, especially London
members including those from
Precious Blood Church, which is
not far from St George’s Cathedral.
It is a good opportunity for
Ordinariate groups from near and far to get together.
But above all, it is a great united act of witness in
London: as we walk and pray, people stop and look,
children point, tourists snap photos on mobile
phones, you even get an occasional bow or Sign of
the Cross (rare, but it does happen).
The Procession is always a great
event, and looks rather splendid
crossing Lambeth Bridge, with the
Houses of Parliament behind it. We
need good numbers in order for it to flourish and grow
and make an annually greater and greater impact.
We sing, and we pray the Rosary – the Luminous
Mysteries, as these focus on Christ’s public ministry
and on the Eucharist. The Knights of St Columba act as
stewards. The route takes us down Ambrosden Avenue
and down to the river: crossing the Thames is perhaps
the most spectacular bit, and then we finish in grand
Come and join in. Pope Francis has called us to
style, packing out St George’s Cathedral and lifting the evangelise. He wants us to get out there and tell people
roof with rousing hymns.
the joyful news of Christ. Here is one way of doing it.
October 18th, London. Put it in your diary. Tell your
The walk is not an arduous one. It is ideal for friends. Put it in the newsletter. Be there.
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