Today was special for many reasons, but one reason was that it was Carol’s birthday! We went to Mass in the morning and then we went to Canterbury in the evening. We had real English Fish and Chips. Chips are what we Americans call “French” Fries, biscuits are cookies and crisps are chips. It was so chilly that we could not seem to warm up. It wasn’t until we went into a diner to have fish and chips that we felt warm even on the inside. The Tea was just heaven sent to warm up our bodies even to our very bones. MMMMMM! Tea time has been so much fun every two hours or so. We love the English tradition!
Then we went to the Canterbury Cathedral, where St. Thomas Becket was martyred! There was CATHOLIC Vespers in the Crypt! In the now Anglican Cathedral! After Vespers, we processed to the site of his first tomb and then to the site of his martyrdom! It was Beautiful!! We sang For All the Saints as we processed. The organ was playing and our voices carried though the whole Cathedral! It was lovely! Carol said it was the highlight of her birthday and we thought the same. My mom said she was ready to be martyred right then and there with all the other martyrs! We cannot describe the feeling that held us captive in that Cathedral. There were so many prayers felt as we wandered through the space. So many pilgrims have visited this Cathedral especially in the middle ages. What beauty of faith was brought here to pray for many graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit. We even saw a Franciscan Archbishop that was buried there. The Franciscan Friars had come to England when Francis was still alive. They were known to be of great joy. They were seen laughing along the road. Sometimes no words were spoken but they would just brake into laughter causing them to fall down upon the road. The English thought of them to be a bit strange. We were reflecting on Assisi and how the place seemed to be of great joy. They must have taken the joy of Francis with them wherever they would travel. We are so grateful for the joy the Friars bring. Always we will remember our time in Assisi…
Then we went to the Canterbury Cathedral, where St. Thomas Becket was martyred! There was CATHOLIC Vespers in the Crypt! In the now Anglican Cathedral! After Vespers, we processed to the site of his first tomb and then to the site of his martyrdom! It was Beautiful!! We sang For All the Saints as we processed. The organ was playing and our voices carried though the whole Cathedral! It was lovely! Carol said it was the highlight of her birthday and we thought the same. My mom said she was ready to be martyred right then and there with all the other martyrs! We cannot describe the feeling that held us captive in that Cathedral. There were so many prayers felt as we wandered through the space. So many pilgrims have visited this Cathedral especially in the middle ages. What beauty of faith was brought here to pray for many graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit. We even saw a Franciscan Archbishop that was buried there. The Franciscan Friars had come to England when Francis was still alive. They were known to be of great joy. They were seen laughing along the road. Sometimes no words were spoken but they would just brake into laughter causing them to fall down upon the road. The English thought of them to be a bit strange. We were reflecting on Assisi and how the place seemed to be of great joy. They must have taken the joy of Francis with them wherever they would travel. We are so grateful for the joy the Friars bring. Always we will remember our time in Assisi…
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