Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary

The past weekend has seen me exposed to a very different aspect of Christianity for me, the adoration of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Last Friday August 15 was the Feast of the Assumption of the BVM. Friday evening I attend the 5pm Eucharist at Westminster Abbey which celebrated the feast. On Saturday, Steve and Jocelyn drove me to Norwich. On the way we stopped at the Shrine of our Lady of Walsingham, England's Nazareth, which is devoted to Mary. On Sunday, I attended mass at the Church of St. John, Timberland, which is the parish church for the church of St. Julian. There we celebrated the Feast with bells and smells, procession and the Angelus, in Latin. Only the Angelus was in Latin. The servcie was modern rite, much liek the BAS. Still an enjoyable service. Afterwards there was wine and nibbles for two men celebrating their 80th birthdays. The I attended Festal evensong at the Norwich Cathedral, started in 1090 and now with the second tallest steeple in England, and again the Assumption. Then this morning I attended mass at St. Julian's church in the side chapel, built where Mother Julian's cell was. Following the Eucharist, we did the Rosary, the Glorious Mysteries, a first for me. Rather an interesting and expanding weekend. Forecast for the week is rain, but the sun has appeared here this afternoon. Must go be a tourist and visit the castle before evening prayer at 5:30 at All Hallows House, where I am staying with Sr. Pamela and a new guest, Br. Mike.