Arbroath Smokies

Five of our members assisted at the Mass at Arbroath - the Octave of Pentecost.
Circumstances led to the three men from Stirling travelling without our wives, so we missed a fun day by the sea after the Mass.
Malky and I travelled together. The weather was kind and the views were glorious as we travelled north. On the way, we listened to a podcast on logic by Catholic philosopher, Peter Kreeft:

Listen here:

http://player.fm/series/catholic-answers-live/5936-the-role-of-logic-in-apologetics-peter-kreeft
And one on football by Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove:

We arrived at Arbroath abbey to meet Jack and Alan, who were having a relaxing coffee in the reception area.

I paced about through the exhibition and back, still the coffee. We were supposed to set-up and practice. Back through the exhibition. Did I mention Pope John XXII?
Coffee and medical chat. Pacing about.
Eventually I said ‘How do we get to the abbey to set things up?’ (I meant Morven’s iPad). They got the hint and finished their drinks.
Mass was to be in the Sacristy

We started to sing and the acoustics were amazing. Music reflected back from the vaulted roof and Fred heard a 'ping'.
The Abbey itself is in ruins although its dedication to Thomas Becket, Saint and Martyr, is acknowledged within the town. Scots king William I, the Lion, had met Becket while a prisoner in England.

 

We practiced while the Una Voce members set up the altar and surrounds. It is such a blessing to return the Mass to these pre-Protestant sites, reclaiming Scotland's heritage. The Picts of the area around modern Arbroath probably heard the Mass in Latin in the 400s if not earlier.
The Abbey was founded in 1178 by William I for the Benedictines and the King was buried before the High Altar in 1214.

As Mass began, we sang the Introit 'Caritas Dei' and were a bit hesitant to start, although we picked-up towards the end. Next came the Kyrie of Missa de Angelis. And we stumbled as we heard a strong voice from the congregation, leading us at a slower pace and key (we had practised singing quietly to benefit from the acoustics). Alan reacted by drawing us in and we set off again to finish the Kyrie in good form, leading and drowning out any opposition.

We were spared congregational contributions for the Alleluia and the Sequence. I hope to put a recording of this on YouTube.

After Mass, Malky and I had lunch at the harbour before heading south.

We bought Smokies and dressed crab before leaving Arbroath.
One of us stayed awake for the entire journey home.