Pilgrimage with Anglicans

[GKMotley]

I see I can get it for a pittance. Not that it will do all that much for me, likely, but still…

 

[GKMotley]

Ok by me, and good on’em.

 

[do_justly_love_mercy]

I first attended Evensong when I lived in the UK for two years. I used to go to Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral, New College, and Magdalen. My recommendation is that New College has the best choir and the best architecture. When I moved back to the US I found that I could also attend Evensong at several churches in New York City, such as St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, as well as at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. I cannot imagine that there could be a problem with your attending Evensong, although perhaps this is more of an issue for English Catholics for historical or cultural reasons that I don’t understand, i.e. perhaps English Catholics feel hostile toward the Anglican Church in a way that American Catholics would not.

 

[PickyPicky]

It’s a brave person who chooses between the architecture of the Oxford colleges!

You sound like a fan of Evensong. What specially appeals to you about it?

 

[do_justly_love_mercy]

It’s a brave person who chooses between the architecture of the Oxford colleges!

Well, I was restricting myself to the three choral foundations, Christ Church, New College, and Magdalen. Christ Church I find a little cluttered inside. It doesn’t have quite the simplicity that I like to see. Magdalen is surprisingly small inside. It feels rather like being in a parish church, but with all the seating along the sides. And that leaves New College, which is long, narrow, soaring, light, and simple. I think the single most beautiful view in Oxford must be Merton viewed from Christ Church Meadow. I also have a peculiar fondness for St Catherine’s, which not a lot of people like, but I think is rather brilliant.

You sound like a fan of Evensong. What specially appeals to you about it?

I think I’d have to say the language of Cranmer and Coverdale.

“Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

“He appointed the moon for certain seasons : and the sun knoweth his going down.”

Also, I like the way that Evensong demands minimal participation on the part of the worshiper. You just have to know when to sit, stand, kneel, face east, and, if you are thus inclined, bow or make the sign of the cross. You have to learn the translation of the Apostles’ Creed, but other than that it just requires listening. I find that very peaceful and meditative. There’s something quite solitary about Evensong. Even when there are quite a number of people in the congregation you don’t have to interact like at Mass.

 

[PickyPicky]

Thank you for that.

I find that very peaceful and meditative

Yes indeed, although there is also present a real sense that, outside, the night is indeed perilous.