Catholic and Loving it!

The big day arrived and we all piled into the coach to MIddlesbrough to see our new Bishop ordained. It was very exciting and everyone was looking forward to it.

We arrived with enough time to prepare ourselves before the service began. There were three entrance processions, the Ecumenical guests, the Civic Dignitaries and the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire and then the priests about 200 give or take 10 or so. The Archbishop of Liverpool introduced the celebration, it was rather like a wedding in strucuture (which makes sense). It happened to be the feast of the conversion of St Paul today, which was a marvellous day to have it on as the two great leaders are Peter, who is forgiven by Christ and Paul who is called by Christ to undergo his great mission.

After the liturgy of the word the ordination bit began... Canon Alan Sheridan read the mandate from the Holy See (See, from the Latin sedes meaning seat, which refers to the episcopal throne (cathedra) of Rome, thus the Pope). Next comes the Examination of Candidate, the bishop elect was questioned will he be faithful and constant in proclaiming the Gospel? will he show kindness and compassion to all in need? The bishop elect then lies prostrate in profound prayer and we sang the litany of saints. The bishop elect then knelt before the Archbishop, who lays his hands on his head and then the assisting consecrating bishops did the same, after this the open Book of the Gospels is placed upon his head and held there throughout the prayer of Consecration. After this his head is anointed with Chrism (strength for the task ahead) and then he is presented with the Book of Gospels "recieve the Gospel and preach the word of God with unfailing patience and sound teaching" (thats not hard then!).

The Archbishop then presents the ring (marriage to the Church, the bride of Christ), the mitre (the symbol of authority) and lastly the Braganza Crozier, the pastoral staff... this one was given by the Queen of Braganza (King Charles II widow) to Bishop James Smith of York, where it found it's home and we were grateful to be allowed to use it today, the sign of the shepherd of God's Church. Our new Bishop Drainy then sat in the Bishops chair, (cathedra) and placed his staff to one side before recieving the kiss of peace from the Archbishop and subsequently the other bishops. The service then resumed to normal with the liturgy of the Eucharist. In the Concluding rite the Papal Nuncio (Diplomatic representative of the Pope) said a few words and a letter from the Cardinal, who was not able to attend, was read. Bishop Drainey then walked around the cathedral and blessed everyone and thus the service ended.

It was a lovely service, it really felt like a group of friends had got together to celebrate rather than it all going on at the front and us plebs watched from a safe distance, which was really nice. One of the ladies I was with said "it really made me feel like part of something bigger" and it really did. The Church is just as important now as 2000 years ago and will remain to be till the good Lord comes again. It's strength and guidence just as strong. The importance of this ocassion really resounded through out the celebration and was summend up with the presence of the Papal Nuncio. The music was beautiful and several nice pieces sung. It was really nice after the meal, when Bishop Drainey went round and spoke to everyone. It was not till he had left that I realised I had not asked for a photo to comemerate the ocassion... it was like the Pope all over again! Too excited to be there and listen to what was being said... but the better side of the coin I think.

Let the exciting times begin...