BENEDICTION HELD AMID MONASTIC RUINS

New Zealand Tablet, 2 September 1920, Page 18

BENEDICTION HELD AMID MONASTIC RUINS

News from England records a historic scene which recently took place in connection with Corpus Christi. This was the occurrence of the solemn ceremony of Benediction in monastic ruins at Thetford. For the first time since the so-called Reformation, a Corpus Christi procession was held at Thetford on the day of the feast. It was recorded as appropriate that tins return to tradition should be an act of reparation for centuries of neglect. The monastery of the Canons Regular of the Holy Sepulchre is now in Catholic hands, it is interesting to learn. Therefore the procession took place in the grounds. The main altar was erected in the ruined refectory. A short sermon was preached on the occasion of this ceremony, which was .so reminiscent of olden days of Catholicism in England. The modern ceremony and its surroundings were a striking reminder of how different religious conditions were in the old Catholic days.