Making Ready for Lent
2012
As the holy season of Lent
approaches, there are several by now time-honoured rituals
observed at St Faith's
In church, the side panels of the splendid Salviati reredos
above the High Altar are folded in, and the woodwork is draped
with black cloth for the Lenten season.
The almost life-sized Great Crucifix is brought from its place
above the side altar in the chapel of the cross, and lifted into
place in front of the draped High Altar.
The resultant dramatic display remains in place to mark the
season of preparation for Easter, until, during Holy Week,
in the culmination of the Lenten observance, it will be brought
down and erected above the chancel steps as a
focus of worship on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday,
before being returned to the Chapel of the Cross on Easter Eve.
Our leading picture is of the Gospel procession on the Sunday
before Lent, as Fr Dennis reads the scripture appointed for the
day.
Behind the incense smoke, Fr Neil is in the pulpit
preparing for his sermon.
The High Altar reredos is seen for last time until Easter: the
men with the poles are waiting in the wings...
Meanwhile, in the Church Hall, a pre-Lent lunch (a new
'tradition'!) was served to the congregation.
This has taken the place of the Shrove Tuesday evening meal at a
local hostelry.
Finally, we see an unusual view of
the High Altar without its usual six candlesticks.
This will be the backdrop to our worship for the next six weeks.
Photos: Chris Price
To read the sermon the vicar was
about to preach click HERE
For the introductory page explaining the meaning of Lent click HERE
To read about the Great Crucifix click HERE
... and to return to the home page click HERE