FAREWELL, WITH THANKS case during the weekdays in Lent due to the fast not being allowed to be broken until after this Office had been sung. The altar was then stripped. The Mandatum took place in mid-afternoon, after lunch. As can be seen from the picture, the ceremony took place in the middle of the nave and keen observers will note that 13 Cathedral Choristers are having their feet washed. There are a number of theories for this; it was thought that either St Paul or St Matthias was included, or even the Lord himself. Another theory is that an angel appeared and joined the twelve poor men being entertained by Pope St Gregory I. The ceremony started with the singing of the Gospel of St John 13: 1-15 from the legilium covered with the white fall, after which the presiding bishop removed his violet cope to perform the Mandatum. The Sub-deacon (in white
tunicle and kneeling) held the right foot of the person whose foot was being washed by the celebrant whilst the Deacon held the towel, which was kissed before being used. The ceremony concluded with a sung prayer following the Pater Noster and a number of versicles and responses. The picture from the Cathedral Archive is not dated, although there is a pencil query as to the 1920s. To the right of the picture are 10 Cathedral Chaplains wearing the distinctive fur cappas that were used from the end of October to the end of April. Note the veiled statue under the Third Station of the Cross and the confessional box opposite. Until the 1960s there were confessional boxes under each pair of arches on both sides of the nave, with boxes assigned to individual priests, as is still the case at the Brompton Oratory and other churches.
With thanks for the Guild Cardinal Heenan ‘had touched’ her sister when she was ill … I wish each one of you health and happiness; may God bless us all’.
Anne Marie, second from left, at the Farewell drinks
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A drinks party in Clergy House Library marked the departure of Anne Marie Micallef, who has worked as Cathedral Finance Officer, for which we thank her, but perhaps more importantly as organiser of the Guild of St John Southworth whose volunteers conduct such a ministry of welcome and tour guiding in the Cathedral. Canon Christopher took the opportunity to speak of how he had the idea of a group who could undertake some form of work to assist visitors to the Cathedral and how Anne Marie had responded to this with vision and enthusiasm, creating the Guild in its present form. She replied that: ‘This place, the work and you, the Team, have meant so much to me .. I will always remember ‘The Year of Mercy’ and some of the wonderful people and children who have come on tours. There have been moments of joy and sadness, and moments of great humour, too. I cannot forget the little boy who, hearing the story of St John Southworth being hidden and dug up, commented ‘Does he smell?’ Or the lady who thrust £40 in my hand because
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April 2020
Oremus
11
