Holy Saturday

Woke early as I dropped off last night on the settee and got to bed early 11.15 p.m. Read rest of last week's Tablet. To morning prayer and again the choir sang superbly. I led in with James and we had to genuflect. Bishop John presided. Victoria and Anerio and tenebrae (George on puting out candles) but no strepitus! I did the Stations using the booklet from the Holy Land pilgrimage and Cormac Rigby's excellent meditations. The Eric Gill stations are very beautiful. Am now home for a rest and Liz has stayed to help set up for the Vigil. Liz has made 2 lovely cakes decorated with small eggs. I think the Passion has been more personal this year in some way helped by the mediations on the work of the Spirit each day and Gordon Giles' excellent book on Feasting and Fasting. Also the Holy Land pilgrimage brings back so many lovely memories. I was very struck by the Eastern feel of the plainchant setting this morning of Jeremiah and how the text reflects what has been happening in Irag and Palestine - the desolation of the city.