Good Friday

This morning we did the Stations of the Cross through the streets of Soho, particularly in the areas where the sex shops and 'models' are. Fr. Alex spoke to us of the love of Christ which we often refuse, like Peter at the washing of the feet, to take on any terms but our own. Many people in the shadier parts of Soho are hardened to love of God which comes through the Cross. We prayed for the conversion of ourselves and for others. When we came to the Station the Death of Jesus in Soho Square on our way back, one man started insulting us and accusing us of intolerance to gays and everything else 'normal'. Unfortunately a fight broke out between him and a man who had joined us halfway through the Stations, and some broke it up while we continued on. We had the sense that this really was what Calvary was like! On the way into church we fittingly sang 'Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est,' a reminder of what really is at the heart of our faith.

In the afternoon we had the Passion of Jesus sung by the choir, and the Veneration of the Cross.The church was absolutely packed as we were warned it would be - people have a very keen sense of Jesus as saviour it would seem. Fr. Alex was assisted by Deacon Mike, a seminarian from the North American College in Rome who is here for the week and who will be ordained to the priesthood this summer. This evening we are watching Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, always good to see at this time. Tomorrow we have the Easter Vigil, the mother of all vigils as Fr. Alex calls it, so we're going to be kept on our toes for a while yet! If you are around please come - it's at 9.00 tomorrow night.