THE
P RTAL
October 2018
Page 12
Adoremus!
Jackie Ottaway and Ronald Crane at the
National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress
T
he Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool, was beautiful. In fact there
were so many people that mass had to be celebrated twice, once at 0930 and then at 1130. Following the
1130 celebration, the crowds assembled outside the cathedral.
We were all anticipating the
climax of the Eucharistic Congress,
“Adoremus”, a Procession of the
Blessed Sacrament through the
streets of the city. Bearing in mind
that it is just over one hundred
years ago that such a procession was
banned by the British Government,
it was an important event.
Processions of the Blessed
Sacrament may be commonplace
now, with many parishes having
them, usually around Corpus Christi
time, but in the early years of the twentieth century
this was not the case.
It had been a busy few days. The National Eucharistic
Pilgrimage and Congress in Liverpool had been a
memorable event. Those present will never forget it. It
As we gathered with the crowds lining the streets seemed an age since we all gathered at the Echo Area
beside the Cathedral, there was a sense of anticipation. to be welcomed by the Archbishop of Liverpool, The
Before long, the head of the procession came into Very Revd Malcolm McMahon.
sight. Processional cross, lights, incense, the Blessed
Canon Mervyn Towers from Corpus Christi Oxford
Sacrament itself, bishops, priests and deacons; then
we all fell to our knees before falling in behind the was the first speaker on Scripture and the Eucharist, he
Sacrament. Hymns were sung, but for the most part, concentrated on the Old Testament. It was an interesting
talk, but maybe a bit too detailed for many. He quoted
the procession was silent.
St Jerome, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of
We had not walked very far before the heavens Christ”, and closed with some principles: 1) Scripture
opened. The rain came down in torrents. Whether we was written under the influence of Holy Spirit and
had water-proof clothing or not, we all got soaked. contains truth for our salvation rather than science. 2)
One lady near us remarked, “Why don’t we sing ‘Our It was written by humans over many years, so we need
God Reigns’!” As we made our way through the streets to use our brains too. 3) Scripture is to be looked at as a
of Liverpool, people stood by the roadside to watch. whole along with the tradition of the Church.
Some came out from their shops, cafés and restaurants,
He was followed by Canon David Oakley, Rector
others joined in. Before long the rain ceased and the
of St Mary’s College, Oscott. He addressed his title,
sun came out as we arrived back at the Cathedral.
“Eucharist as the source and summit of Church life
The crowd gathered on and below the steps of the and Mission”.
Cathedral. Cardinal Nichols gave Benediction. As
Sr Margaret Atkin spoke on “Eucharist and
the Sacrament was held high above us all, the silence
was full and devout. Not a sound was heard. We sang Teaching”. She spent most of her time in a comparison
“Sweet Sacrament Divine” and it was all over. The between different kinds of eating, particularly ‘Fast
crowd broke into spontaneous applause. Good-byes Food’ as against the ‘Family Meal’. She began with one
were said. Final hugs exchanged with old, and new, of the best known quotations on the Eucharist. The
famous ‘purple passage’ from Dom Gregory Dix’ The
friends. We all went home.
Shape of the Liturgy. She concluded by asking if the
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