The Abbey is in my backyard, just over 20 miles away from where I live,
and I had been there a couple of times before, to worship in the Abbey Church,
which is one of the finest examples of 1960s church architecture – and is also the largest
church in Sussex with a seating capacity of 900. It offers Mass and monastic
prayer daily (for details, see www.worthabbey.net/ml/ch-liturgy.htm).
Pope
Francis has dedicated this liturgical year as the Year for Consecrated Life and Monday 2nd February 2015 was
the 18th World Day for Consecrated. That very special day was marked
with a solemn Mass at Worth Abbey attended by around 200 religious from Arundel & Brighton
Diocese, including the Benedictine monks from the Abbey, and representing 30
separate Orders, Institutes and Congregations. It was celebrated by Archbishop
Peter Smith, Archbishop of Southwark, with Abbot Dom Luke and the community of
Worth Abbey.Archbishop Peter Smith |
(On
a personal note, as I was there on business, I had my cameras with me. I try
not to use flash in churches but the Abbey was quite a challenge. Around the
walls, particularly near the entrance, it was dark and shadowy. The church is
circular in shape with a high vaulted ceiling immediately above the Sanctuary. In
the centre of the ceiling is a raised circular lantern with windows around all
the sides – which lets in a perfect blaze of pure white light. It is this
contrast between the shadowy edges and the brightly lit centre of the church
that makes calculating exposure rather tricky! See below!)
Pope
Francis, in his recent Apostolic Letter ‘To
All Consecrated People’ spoke of the ‘gift
which is the presence of our many consecrated men and women.’
and went on to say that the Year for Consecrated Life is not solely for
religious, it also includes the laity ‘who
share with them the same ideals, spirit and mission.’ As might be expected,
he had some specific suggestions for us: ‘...draw close to these
men and women, to rejoice with them, to share their difficulties and to assist
them, to whatever degree possible, in their ministries and works, for the
latter are, in the end, those of the entire Church. Let them know the affection
and the warmth which the entire Christian people feel for them.’
...So, there’s a fine idea. How about using 2015 to find out more about
the priests and brothers, the nuns and sisters who live near you? Maybe even
meet some of them, worship with them and find out more about their lives?
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