Its not that I am a good christian or even a constant church goer…but there was something about this Spanish mass that moved me. Perhaps it was because I didn’t really understand the words, only the the format, that allowed my spiritual imagination to fill all the empty holes. I was moved and privileged to be there and of course there were moments throughout the singing that I had to lower my head to hide my tears and emotions.
The main priest out of the 8 gave a homily that had the Spanish people laughing at one point, other than that, there was an announcement in English to please not attend for communion if you were not Catholic or you were out of favour with God!
I was probably out of favour with more than God but wild horses would not have stopped me unbuttoning the red cordon and taking my place in the line for communion. I did think when the service ended that that was that but true to form, 8 priests dressed in maroon vestments collected in a circle to light and control the Botafumeiro.
It really really was staggering. They pulled together on the eight pully ropes until the incense burner almost flew right up to the ceilings of the church…and I know the announcement was not to take pictures..!! but me and dozens of others had there mouths open and their phones going whilst the 8 priests seemed just as enthralled and smiling as we were.
It was the end of my journey…or so I thought
What a view this was for a bar…a quick message from Derek and Carol, and I was there…