A fortnight ago I attended the Concert at SFX to mark the opening of their ‘Held in Trust’ exhibition. The concert itself was a wonderful evening of 16th & 17th Century Music of the Catholic Monarchs and Court which is rarely if ever heard or performed today. Unfortunately there wasn’t a lot of time to look around the exhibition with so many people present but there was an eclectic mix of interesting artefacts, historical vestments and church plate and relics which had been kept in safety by the Jesuits from the time of the reformation and now housed at Stonyhurst College. I managed to visit the exhibition again this week to spend some more time viewing the exhibits not least because they remind us of our catholic heritage with links to the heroic witness of the martyrs and saints. I couldn’t get over the size of the carrying case and contents of St Edmund Arrowsmiths travelling mass set. I don’t know how he carried it let alone travelled around on horseback with it. The clergy were obviously a lot tougher then! St Thomas More’s hat, again, a wonderful link with the saints life, but I’m not sure it would be considered the height of fashion today. It is a privilege to be able to see such items of faith from the past. If you have some time over the next few weeks you should try to visit the exhibition and the church itself is also looking at its best. Brother Ken, Fr Paddy and the organizers and helpers are to be congratulated for what they have achieved as it is a uniquely Catholic contribution to the Culture events of 2008.
On the theme of exhibitions the preparations for the major exhibition in the Crypt for 2008 begin next week. The International Exhibition of the works of Le Corbusier, acclaimed by many as the most influential architect of 20th century, will run from October until January. It will incorporate paintings, sculptures, furniture, plans, drawings and designs which give a comprehensive overview of the man and his work. The Concert and Crypt Halls will house the exhibition and a considerable period of time has been allocated by the sponsors in building temporary structures to house the displays. I must admit I am approaching this with a sense of excitement regarding such an important exhibition but also trepidation regarding the impact it will have on these re-furbished areas of the Crypt. I’m not sure what Sir Edwin Lutyens ( Crypt Architect ) would have made of it all.
The transfer of the Diocesan Archives to its new home in the Undercroft level of the Cathedral has taken longer than anticipated and we are hoping that this and the final snaggings to the new lift area should be completed this coming week. However it seems likely that we will have contractors on part of our site at least up until the new year and beyond.
The only events taking place this week are an Art Market on the Piazza this Sunday from 12-4pm and a continuation of the series of organ Recitals on Saturday afternoons in August from 2.30pm – 3.30pm.
A fortnight ago I attended the Concert at SFX to mark the opening of their ‘Held in Trust’ exhibition. The concert itself was a wonderful evening of 16th & 17th Century Music of the Catholic Monarchs and Court which is rarely if ever heard or performed today. Unfortunately there wasn’t a lot of time to look around the exhibition with so many people present but there was an eclectic mix of interesting artefacts, historical vestments and church plate and relics which had been kept in safety by the Jesuits from the time of the reformation and now housed at Stonyhurst College. I managed to visit the exhibition again this week to spend some more time viewing the exhibits not least because they remind us of our catholic heritage with links to the heroic witness of the martyrs and saints. I couldn’t get over the size of the carrying case and contents of St Edmund Arrowsmiths travelling mass set. I don’t know how he carried it let alone travelled around on horseback with it. The clergy were obviously a lot tougher then! St Thomas More’s hat, again, a wonderful link with the saints life, but I’m not sure it would be considered the height of fashion today. It is a privilege to be able to see such items of faith from the past. If you have some time over the next few weeks you should try to visit the exhibition and the church itself is also looking at its best. Brother Ken, Fr Paddy and the organizers and helpers are to be congratulated for what they have achieved as it is a uniquely Catholic contribution to the Culture events of 2008.
On the theme of exhibitions the preparations for the major exhibition in the Crypt for 2008 begin next week. The International Exhibition of the works of Le Corbusier, acclaimed by many as the most influential architect of 20th century, will run from October until January. It will incorporate paintings, sculptures, furniture, plans, drawings and designs which give a comprehensive overview of the man and his work. The Concert and Crypt Halls will house the exhibition and a considerable period of time has been allocated by the sponsors in building temporary structures to house the displays. I must admit I am approaching this with a sense of excitement regarding such an important exhibition but also trepidation regarding the impact it will have on these re-furbished areas of the Crypt. I’m not sure what Sir Edwin Lutyens ( Crypt Architect ) would have made of it all.