Fr John Zuhlsdorf in London - How spending time with the world's greatest Catholic blogger led to an interesting war-time discovery

Fr Zuhlsdorf and "Sir Dan" at Westminster Cathedral

It was nice to meet Fr John Zuhlsdorf (Fr Z), the world-famous Catholic blogger, at an impromptu blognic that had been convened by him on Monday night. Quite a few bloggers, blog readers and commentators came along to meet him at the Coal Hole pub on The Strand, many having first attended sung Mass (EF) at Corpus Christi Maiden Lane. Some of those who were there, including Fr Tim Finigan (The Hermeneutic of Continuity) and Fr Ray Blake (Fr Ray Blake's Blog), have already written about the event, whilst both Fr Z and Fr Finigan have also provided photos of the evening on their blogs (see above links). It was really good to be amidst so many committed Catholics and to be able to share blogging stories with those who have far more experience of the new media than me. It was also a privilege to meet Mary O'Regan (The Path Less Taken) and "Sir Dan of the Blogosphere" for the first time, as well as to catch up with the excellent Rev Deacon James Bradley of the Ordinariate, amongst many others!

I met Fr Z again yesterday, and took both him and "Sir Dan" on an informal tour of Westminster Cathedral. We spent quite a lot of time studying the magnificent mosaics and sharing the joys of our faith with each other, whilst stopping at the various shrines to offer a prayer or make an act of devotion. Fr Z took some photos, which I am sure will appear on his blog at some point (update 13:00 - here are a couple of humorous ones!). After the tour, we bumped into one of the main "Save the Cardinal Vaughan School" campaigners, who was able to share some of her concerns with Fr Zuhlsdorf. She told us that the school's new headteacher is about to be appointed in the next couple of days and that she had some concerns about who might be given the job. It seems, though, that the Vaughan School's parents are determined to continue in their struggle to "Save the Vaughan" - a few of them attended a special Mass last night, to pray for the continuation of the School's Catholic ethos.

"He hides me in the shelter of his tent, on a rock
he sets me free" (Psalm 27:5)

Whilst walking around the Cathedral, one of the sacristans offered to show us that part of the crypt which was used as an air-raid shelter during the Second World War. This space is hardly ever open to the public, and remains locked at all times - so it was quite a privilege to be allowed in. Amazingly, the remains of an old war-time poster from the 1940's can still be seen on the crypt's wall. This bit of memorabilia is surely one of Westminster Cathedral's most interesting secular relics! This photo (right) shows what's left of the poster, which advertised the fact that all those who had spent the night at the Westminster Cathedral air-raid shelter could claim discounted washing facilities, laundry services and breakfasts at the expense of the local council. It seems that the Cathedral itself escaped the war relatively unharmed (bar a shaken roof, the leaky effects of which can still be seen on parts of the brickwork), though the area surrounding it did suffer from some severe damage during the Blitz. One building that was completely demolished by the Luftwaffe was the old Anglican church of St Andrew's, which stood on the site now occupied by the Cathedral's Piazza!

Fr John Zuhlsdorf is an obviously dedicated priest and blogger, and it was a joy to be able to spend some time with him during the past two days. He also struck me as someone who is imbued with natural humility and great intelligence, as well as a firm faith in Our Lord and a devotion to the Successor of St Peter. I look forward to meeting him again some day, Deo volente!