The organist librarian

What an immense privilege to be mitre bearer for the Cardinal at this service which has such simple drama in a packed but empty church because the cross and candles have gone. I think particularly of Thomas the precentor, Fr Mark and tenor Nick standing before the throne waiting while the choir sings Bruckner "Christus factus est" and then they move to the pulpit to sing the Passion. The Cardinal spoke about Zimbabwe. The Veneration is always a deeply moving moment. We all genuflect 3 times keeping time with each other as we creep towards the cross held up before the high altar. The choir sang Improperia by Victoria. As the boys venerate the men sing Crux fidelis. We all kneel and sing "When I survey". At communion "Tristis est anima" of Poulenc and O vos omnes by Casals. Paul smiled when he commented that I had the mitre bearer's humeral veil tied at front and not at the back at the start - we got it right when I put it on at the end. Liz remained to ...

A day of deep emotions. To the cathedral for 10 a.m. Morning Prayer. The choir sang Victoria Lamentations as at Tenebrae last week and we knelt for the first part of Anerio "Christus factus est". We used to sing this at Addiscombe and this day always bring back painful and joyful memories especially during the Reproaches. A great joy to see Father Mark back and singing as well as ever. To Marks for a coffee with Francis and Deacon Peter whose blog on the Stations has been an inspiration in these last days of what has been by and large a good Lent. At least I stuck to no alcohol and read "The Imitation of Christ". The Lent group "Who is my neighbour?" took 5 weeks to really get to the point of welcoming migrants in church. "Understanding Islam" will have a long term effect I know. Bishop John Arnold spoke in his homily about the bewilderment and shame of the disciples on this day. Got the bus to outside Methodist Central Hall where we joined the p...

To 10am Morning prayer at the cathedral with magnificent singing from the choir (Anerio, Victoria, Gesualdo). Chat to Deacon Peter and he has commented about Palm Sunday. Invited him to dinner and thanks to him for this lovely image. Joined the Westminster procession led by members of the Passage and Sister Ellen Flynn to the Abbey and at the end met Janet Whiting the chair of Churches Together in Westminster, Lots of people took part. We sat in the front for the 3pm liturgy. The Cardinal gave a wonderful homily on how all are welcomed and accepted by the Church. The choir on stunning form (Bruckner, Victoria, Gesualdo, Casals). The servers led the veneration at the end. Picked up Micky and drove to Coulsdon. The St Luke Passion went really well and the recording is good although the tape recorder is showing signs of its age. About 30 in the congregation. Adrian did a great job at the organ and the augmented choir sounds excellent. All the soloists coped well and Karen's 2 arias ar...