After popping into Westminster Cathedral this afternoon, I made my way down Victoria Street to the Abbey. Having heard that the place was abuzz with preparations for Friday's wedding between HRH Prince William Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton, I wanted to see for myself how things were developing.
It was quite a shock to see that a few people were already camping on the pavement just opposite Westminster Abbey. These poor people will be living in their tents, right next to a busy Victoria Street, for the next three days! From what someone told me at the Cathedral, the public toilets nearby will be kept open throughout that time - they normally shut around 6pm. It also appears that many people will be camping in St James's Park over the next couple of days!
I couldn't believe how many foreign journalists were about, all broadcasting live at 5pm (when I was there). It seemed a bit like Babel!
Of course, the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales have produced this following prayer for the Royal Wedding. It might be appropriate for us Catholics to use this prayer during the next few days.
Heavenly Father,
we ask your blessing
upon his Royal Highness, Prince William and Catherine
as they pledge their love for each other in marriage.
May your love unite them through their lives.
Grant them the strength to serve you, our country and the Commonwealth
with integrity and faithfulness.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen
I don't want to seem to be too much of a kill-joy, but do think it important to point out that co-habitation is something that should be reserved for those who are married. Needless to say, many Christians have been taken aback by the fact that the future Supreme Governor of the Church of England has appeared to be "living in sin" for the past few years. This sad situation reflects badly on Anglicanism's ability to call its members to holiness. It also seems to point to a decline in the Royal Family's desire to be moral standard-bearers for the rest of us.
I'm sure it must be quite depressing for Queen Elizabeth II to witness such changes in attitudes to morality, especially amongst her own kith and kin. We must remember that the Queen is both devoted to Christ and sees the monarchy as an instrument of the Christian faith.
.........................................................................
Easter Cake
I managed to take a photo of this Easter-cake whilst I was at Westminster Cathedral this afternoon. As you can see, half of it had already been consumed by the time I got my camera out!
Most shops seemed to have sold out of Easter-cakes a few days before the great feast itself, so I ended up cake-less on Easter Sunday. It was such a joy, then, to come across this beautiful cake at the Cathedral... And it tasted delicious, too!
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