Corpus Christi Procession - Arundel Cathedral

On Thursday we attended the Mass of Corpus Christi at Arundel Cathedral. This is the view from the bookshop into the town square at about 3pm. Yes, it was tipping it down with rain but we were confident that the sun would come out for the procession!

Most of the soaking wet visitors squashed into the front of the bookshop during the downpour. (I (Emily) was working with 'Anne Boleyn' from our Saint Edmund Campion film)

Sure enough at about 4.30pm the sun was shining again and I ran up the hill to the Cathedral for Mass at about 5.15pm - entered the Cathedral and it was jam packed. I think it was the best turn out in a long-time.


The Carpet of Flowers glowed happily awaiting the Bishop to carry the Blessed Sacrament upon it

Bernadette and I stood at the back for Mass. This was actually quite beneficial because we had a fantastic view of Mass through the front doors and were able to slip out before the procession so as to see everyone assembling and begin down the hill.

There were many guilds and groups represented by lovely banners in the procession.

We waited on the side of the road for the procession to come out of the Cathedral. We didn't manage to see the Bishop carry the Monstrance over the Carpet of Flowers though but we would join the procession after it passed us.

First came the First Holy Communion children mainly from Saint Philip Howard school, but our mum brings along the children from our parish too and they are made very welcome. The children wear their First Holy Communion clothes and hold baskets of flower petals which they strew before the Blessed Sacrament as they follow the processional Cross.

Next follow the orders of Malta and other impressive orders followed by the priests and deacons and the Bishop under the canopy with the Monstrance.

We went down on our knees as the Blessed Sacrament passed - I don't think people do that very often because we got some funny looks but it was great to kneel on the pavement as the Blessed Sacrament passed!

The procession made its way down the hill toward the castle with singing and readings and litanies.

We made our way through the winding grounds towards the drawbridge.

and under a portcullis

Once inside the private courtyard of the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk there is an altar set up in the shadow of the Keep (the Keep is over 1000 years old) and we had a short Benediction and Blessing as the sun began to go down behind the Keep.

Then we went back towards the Cathedral for a final Benediction and the Divine Praises.

Afterwards the Carpet of Flowers was walked upon by everyone - there is a bizarre joy in doing so - it had given hundreds of visitors lots of pleasure and the First Holy Communion children and all who wanted to picked up flowers from it to put into prayerbooks.

A really wonderful event and well-worth attending!

This part was where 'Saint Paul' was.....