The organist librarian

Tuesday an unexpected treat as Louise came over to help Bruce pack up so had Seán and Ciarán to look after. Liz took Ciarán for a tram ride to Wimbledon. I went to St Paul's cathedral for the 359th festival of the Sons of the clergy. Tewkesbury Abbey and Norwich cathedral choirs sang well - Britten, Will Todd, Gibbons and Greig Ave maris stella. A good sermon from the Bishop of Norwich. Rejoice in the Lamb worked really well as the combined anthem as did Hymn to the virgin. We had some great hymns to sing "Christ is the king" "Ye that know the Lord is gracious" (but why to Blaenwern and not Abbots Leigh?) and Christ triumphant. Bishop of London wearing horrid black and red cope and mitre. Bus and time for a sandwich at Pret before meeting Liz to see Boheme at Coliseum. Upper circle centre two for one £25. Wonderful production with some great singing. Duncan Rock particularly impressed, Glyn Hughes Jones got some fine top notes and Kate Valentine and Angel Blue ...

One of my favourite feasts and a day at the cathedral. Liz to college. 10.30 a.m. Mass I was boat and Emmanuel was smoke - he is a pain. All in Latin. Choir sang Tallis, Victoria Mass O magnum mysterium and superb Holst Nunc Dimittis. Dubois Toccata. Time for tea with Jason then 12.30 Mass for religious/with Bishop Alan Hopes. I was acolyte with Andrew. Fr Alexander was cantor and Edward did a clever improvisation on Christ be our light. Nice lunch in hall and saw Miriam and had a long chat to nuns from Hayes, Middlesex - two Sister Marys one who knows Michael Barnes and the other had been in Oxford and is now 84. She taught history in Moscow University. Did some reading and to St Paul's bookshop for sale and tea with Liz at M & S. St Martin Anglican choir from Roath, Cardiff at Mass with their vicar - excellent Mawby and Will Todd - one of the best. Home to watch Art Deco icons, a Spanish Hollywood house in Devon and the Orient Express, also Make me a Muslim  

Took car to Selhurst and bus to Norwood Junction. Train and bus delayed so arrived at St Paul's cathedral at 10 to 11. Result no booklet for the service - about 40 people had the same problem. 3 less well known hymns Christ triumphant, Jesus shall reign, How shall I sing that majesty. Wesley Thou wilt keep him, Byrd introit, Walton Coronation Te Deum. Will Todd spoke. Michael Parkinson and Willard White did not show but Dame Kiri did! Duchess of Gloucester was there. Spotted Alistair in the procession. Frankly the echo doesn't help and I had no idea what the new anthem was about -it was a Jubilate by Alec Roth! Saw Chris Hollis and got a booklet. Grabbed an EAT sandwich and very slow bus ride as there had been a big student demo - 10,000 in the rain. The Lost Prince at National Portrait Gallery worth seeing - he died in 1712. Much of his legacy has gone. COleridge-Taylor, Alma-Tadema and Booth centenaries exhibitions. Bought cathedral guide in case I do have to do the Heythrop...

Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You. Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, that I may not fall so often. Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life and without You I am without fervor. Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light and without You I am in darkness. Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will. Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You. Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You very much and always be in Your company. Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You. Stay with me, Lord, as poor as my soul is I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of Love. Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close and life passes, death, judgment and eternity approaches. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You. It is getting late and death approaches...