The organist librarian

Swam 20. To Chrism mass always a great occasion. Acolyte 6 and consecration torch 4. All went well but it was a long stand and kneel! Lovely Byrd Ave cerium with pp ending beautifully controlled. Haydn little organ mass and Bach at the end. To lunch and saw lots of old friends. To National portrait gallery for Sargent which was superb but too many people. The Wellington special exhibition was less crowded but a bit dull. Did a sketch of Frank Dobson head of Sitwell. To Chiswick Park for double session of oil painting and have no done second layer. Not so keen on using my fingers. To Acton Lou in New York, boys have bunk beds. Wed took Sean to Osterley for lunch and soft play. On the way in he spotted Thomas engine ride And that is where I found him after ordering food.

Swam 20. Final preparations for Ann and Paul's arrival. Liz a little better but still staying home. Chrism Mass went very well. One stupid decision was to move us from BVM to BSC side too early so we went back to our seats! I had to move a heavy stool and consecration torch and acolyte 5. Nice lunch and chatted to seminarians and a couple of priests including the one I have met in art galleries! Home to find Ann and Paul there so we sat in the garden for a bit and went for a walk before dinner. Liz went off to Acton. Watched Rev again and Come dine with me.

Up at 4.45 to take Bruce to East Croydon to get to Gatwick in time. Checked Louise's times which are impressive and she has raised more than the £2000 needed. I reckon Dennis, Bruce and I all arrived just that bit too late at Canary Wharf! What a pity the website wouldn't work on my phone as we could have tracked her progress. Swam 20 and to mosaic. At tai chi I dropped off during the meditation. Practised on piano. Worried about Liz and she had to cancel serving at Chrism mass - Andrew took her place. I went to rehearsal which went on rather long so had a chat to Derek, Gordon and Don the deacons. Watched secrets of bones, British railway journeys and programme on 18th century English music and best of all Rev.

Looking serious as does Brian! Thursday to interfaith lunch and presented Alan and Ivor with their mosaic at last. The theme was suffering and we heard Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh and Christian perspectives and David Standley was excellent. l L

Tuesday to the Chrism Mass and we were communion torches. Good to see Brian and Derek and other priests we know. Haydn and Missa de angelis which felt like a step backwards. Poulenc and Mozart Ave verum. Good homily from the Archbishop. Nice lunch in hall and the Archbishop greeted me by name! Had a chat to Fr John from Shepherd's Bush among others. To Acton and picked up Ciarán from Maples. Watched programme on P.G.Wodehouse and Easter bake off also The Iron Lady with Meryl Streep who was excellent. Wednesday Liz went to St Helen's for farewell so we went to music and Seán was on great form and we had lunch at Marks. Ciarán played track and then I went off to college for our last lecture which is sad. We had a good presentation from Daniel and wine and chocolates from Kim. Liz was late back from RCIA - full moon. Ann Widdecombe on humour in religion.

A lovely day and we both swam and to the cathedral for Chrism Mass at which we were consecration torches. Our back view on the diocesan website photos. The Mawby Ave verum was thrilling. Haydn Little organ mass and De Angelis. Bishop George going to Cardiff to be Archbishop. An excellent lunch in the hall and lots of people to meet and we chatted to folk in M & S when we went for tea. Liz went to Lancaster Road to see family and I came home to go to Croydon parish church for Couperin tenebrae beautifully sung by Gail Winter and Julie Beaumont and Canon Colin read the gospel beautifully. It was all a little bit camp. Drew in jeans and black open neck shirt. Gave Martin How his 80th birthday card he was pleased. Sex education show and baby born in Auschwitz on TV! Also watched An Island parish about Barra. Wednesday also lovely. Swam and played for funeral at Coulsdon - all went well. Soloist gospel style Amazing grace. I played Pie Jesu at the end. Interesting song played as a tr...

I was acolyte 7 at the Chrism Mass! Photo by Martin Mazur

I could not resist this wonderful picture from Whispers in the loggia! It is the moment when the bishop breathes over the oil. He also has a fine video by Fulton Sheen about spectators at the crucifixion.

I can just be seen behind the crucifer a first year at the seminary. 40 lengths and saw Andrew. I put in a comment about the fact that the pool is open right through the Easter weekend - do the staff get a break and do the Christian staff get it off. Also the shower in gents change room is stuck again wasting water and heat. The Readingfutures training course and it was great to see old friends like Carol and Ruth. They loved my picture gallery in the staff room including me with Princess Anne! To the Chrism Mass for 12 noon. A most impressive procession and Liz and I sat together behind the priests as we were consecration torches. Saw Fr Allen, Fr Aidan, Fr Jim from Chiswick and Fr Richard. Fr Mark was there and the seminary students. Lots of Macmillan but did not much like the Gloria from the Westminster Mass. Hymns were "My song is love unknown" O godhead hid and The royal banners with one about the oils to "Eisenach". Hard to hear Cardinal's excellent sermo...

Another magnificent celebration at 12 noon today! The privilege of being at the centre of such an event which is so well planned is truly amazing and very humbling. Liz and I were consecration candles and I feel much more relaxed about doing this now. It was great to see so many people there and of course all the priests and seminarians including Edward. Deacon Richard read the gospel. The choir excelled in Elgar's "The spirit of the Lord" and Colin Mawby's "Ave verum" and a splendid Monteverdi setting. There were wonderful hymns "My song is love unknown" "O Godhead hid" and "The royal banners forward go". Note the white veil on the cross and the magnificent oils. More pictures on the Westminster diocesan site. Liz was able to stay for lunch but I had to return to work.