Mithras wrote:Sorry, off-topic but I think you're rerferring to Don Cupitt
Not Don Cupitt - but I do know of him - and even have one of his books somewhere. The Vicar I refer to is someone who appeared briefly on religion documentary TV programme and I only caught a snippet. Thanks anyway Mithras.
And to get us back on topic - I do know of one Anglican parish church that retains its medieval dedication of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. How the reformers' zeal failed to eradicate the title, I don't know. It's in the village of Tysoe - and a glance through the C of E Diocese of Coventry reveals another parish of the same dedication at Ashow, near Kenilworth. Perhaps the 16th century Lords of these Manors (if these benefices were in their gift) had great devotion to the Blessed Virgin and stuck their necks out to retain the title. I pray their heads remained attached.
I was lucky enough to have spent 'Assumptiontide' in Seville. I have never been a great fan of processions (particularly the May variety) but I learned that when done properly with both devotion and enthusiasm (and probably guaranteed good weather!) they can be tremendous acts of witness. I visited the Cathedral and did the tourist bit on the Friday. impressed but left a little cold by all the bling. The feast was held on Saturday, when the Cathedral bells had fulls peals every half hour from 4.50 am. First mass was at 5am. Gave up trying to sleep, had early breakfast and turned into the main road outside the Cathedral at 9.15am to witness the last parts of the procession which had been going on for some time. This included the local council in morning coats etc, the local council guard in helmets and plumes, with the city band, and the army with fixed bayonets and their band.
Managed to cut into the Cathedral, which was packed, just as the clergy were processing in at 9.30. The Gospel and Epistle organs at Seville have been electrified and are played from a single console in the middle of the retro-choir. Organ music accompanied the procession with Spanish music using the various sets of Spanish Trumpet stops, then we had some Bach, then the organist launched into a splendid arrangement of the Hallelujah Chorus (I don't think it was the organ concerto 'version') as the bishops and the Cardinal entered the sanctuary, climaxing as the statute of the Virgin del Reyes was carried in. It was all rather splendid, and the timing was perfect.
After the statue was installed, having finished its trip around the city centre, we had a male voice choir singing a Gloria which I didn't recognise. They were enthusiastic but not brilliant. Then we had the rest of mass. The psalm was sung beautifully to an Andalusian style by a boy treble and then we had a great alleluia. At the offertory we had the Bach D Minor Toccata and Fugue (which was a bit of a shock to the system, but very well played). the Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Great Amen and Agnus were sung enthusiastically by all to tunes that I have often heard in Spain. During communion we had the male voice choir again and this time they sounded good (but I have no idea what they were singing), followed by the organ. The organist then played us out as the statute was carried to the royal chapel (which is behind the high altar and about the size of a large parish church) where we had more processional organ music from the rather good organ in the chapel. Individual flowers were then taken from the elaborate and huge arrangements around the statute and given to those who came to kneel and pray by the statute as the council, army etc processed out of the cathedral to the Town Hall where, as it was by then noon (and around 40C!), I assume they all had a good civic lunch.
Apart from restaurants, coffee shops and some pharmacies there were no shops open anywhere in Seville on Saturday but lots of families were out and about dressed in their 'Sunday best' for lunch followed by siesta.
Ok it was a bit 'blingy' and the choral music was not brilliant, but as a sign of solemnity, devotion and witness it was hugely impressive, done with style and taste, and I suddenly understood what the Cathedral was all about and it all made sense - and I felt 'part of the family', had a strong sense of tradition, and very happy to be a catholic.
In Norfolk there are three (now) Anglican churches dedicated to the Assumption. They are at West Barsham (Nr. Walsingham), Gressenhall (Nr. Dereham) and Marlingford (nr. Norwich). Quite a number of Anglican churches in this area do actually keep the Assumption. Indeed there is such a church only a hundred yards from our own Catholic church where they do. (they also have Benediction every week and use the Roman Missal!!) Don't forget in the Church of England you can more or less do what you want regarding services as long as the Parochial Church Council agrees.
