Holy Week

From Palm Sunday’s joyous welcoming of the newest member of the Church of England by Baptism, through the solemnity of Compline to the Liturgy of Maundy Thursday, the Priory church has been following Jesus’ journey to Calvary.

The ‘Donkey with Many Names’ joined the congregation in the nave for Palm Sunday, focussing minds on Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It reminded us, too, of our journey of faith and that which the young baptismal candidate was just starting, with the support of her family and the Priory Church.

From Monday to Wednesday,the congregation gathered again for Compline, with reflection, which was sung by the back row of the Priory Singers. Plainchant once again echoed within the Priory walls, as it did in Benedictine monastic times. The meditative simplicity of the service peeled back the centuries.

Maundy Thursday was celebrated at two Holy Communion Services. In the evening, following Holy Communion, the Sanctuary was stripped as the Lamentations of Jeremiah (Bairstow) was sung by the choir, leaving the oak altar table exposed.

The congregation left in silence awaiting Good Friday.