Sunday 29 March 2015

Palm Sunday at the Abbey

Prayers in the sacristy

The abbot blesses the palms

The procession through the abbey church

Approaching the high altar

Censing the altar

Kneeling at the passion narrative "...and he breathed his last".

Today I concelebrated with the Benedictine community at St Mary's Abbey, Buckfast, for Palm Sunday. Here are some of the colourful picture their photographer caught. Because of the inclement weather, the liturgy of palms began in the very 1970s Blessed Sacrament Chapel. We then processed through the abbey and then up the central aisle to the high altar for the Holy Mass. 

It was a great privilege participating in the mass,and I was particularly moved by the sheer beauty of the choir's singing. 
Processional:Gloria laus et honor tibi sit; 
Motet:Ingrediente Domino (Malcolm); 
Ride on, ride on in majesty; 
Offertory:My song is love unknown;
Motet:Timor et tremor (Lassus);
Communio:Sancte Deus (Tallis); 
Post-comm:Glory be to Jesus. 
Recessional:Salvator mundi (Tallis). 

Directed by Philip Arkright (Master of the music).Organ scholar: Philip Broadhouse. 

Very blessed.

Reflections on Worship in Sacrifice