6pm
Six helicopters and deafening music
Policemen at the end of our road
Barricades at the end of our road
Palpable excitement outside as pilgrims and others walk down the hill to the racecourse
Update… took me 20 minutes to upload that…
6.50pm
More hellish helicopters directly overhead…..could not count them as had to get dinner amidst all this….have to feed the boys.
Had a brief thought that I should be praying for safety as we are really close here….in the midst so to speak.
Sky News is replaying Ray Martin’s wonderful interviews from Super Thursday which my guys missed so that is great…..hope some of the money raised here goes toward the places mentioned here…scholarships for disadvantaged youth etc
Whoops here goes the demon helicopter again..should not say that it might have the Pope on it….its gone quiet….wonder whats happening out there….Amazing Grace being sung on Sky by a disadvantaged aboriginal boy…what a voice….and Ray has still got it.
7.00pm
Welcoming from varied youth in many languages.
Amazing dance and singing …..looks and sounds a bit like Guy Sebastian but is not….while the cross is being brought in by many young people.
Okay…fabulous costumes for all my yellow crafters!
7.15pm Pope Benedict walks onto the stage [?]
7.15pm
Vigorous debate going on in our home about the position of Mary and how the Anglican church could use a more woman centric doctrine or whatever you call it.
Also talking about how the interfaith leaders …Muslim Jewish Buddhist etc etc came to the party [met with the Pope] yet the Dean of St Andrews Anglican Cathedral was spewing intolerance… almost religious superiority in the SMH online the other day.
Of course that could have been taken out of context…the full interview is there on video which I have not watched, of course he had already made his position clear in May this year.
Lighting candle made from wax from candles used in places all over the globe …..the light of the world…..now twelve young people from Oceania lighting candles [torches]
8.05pm
When does the silent vigil start? I have heard more than I can take of the refrain…sorry but its LOUD.
8.23pm
Loud cheering after the Pope’s homily on the Holy Spirit and his experience with reading St Augustine when he was a young man.
Interesting seeing the faces of the Bishops and Cardinals as the Holy Spirit is being “invoked”. Not sure of the teaching behind that but a real yearning there……painfully so.
Now praying for the people being confirmed tomorrow.
8.35pm
Now that is really beautiful singing …..as the eucharist is prepared. Beginning to actually feel sleepy and relaxed so that shows the difference in noise …..wow amazing voice of the young lady singing and what is it with the stunning young lady taking the prayers? Way to go Catholics!!!
Haven’t heard this song/hymn for years….Father We Adore You
By the way CJ left us after he ate…hard for him to take the service after all the inconvenience. He appreciates the history but cannot take the actual…..
8.44pm …wait….that is …. silence…absolute silence…. that was wonderful….only sound was my husband snoring…….oh and just heard the helicopters within the silence
8.48pm
Pope Benedict is looking a little frail ….could be the weight of all those robes though…remember when we worked at St Jude’s Church how heavy the robes were for the vicars. Hope they know what they are doing….he is 81 years old isn’t he?
Quite hypnotic actually the ritual…..I remember it well…..better than I imagine a Prozac to be.
Well until they started that singing anyway.
8.53pm
Cheering going on and he is smiling…
Benedicto Benedicto chanting…..
He speaks in many languages to the pilgrims
9.08
Ray is back….the Pope is leaving …….LOUD helicopters and reflective yet joyful pilgrims, all 200,000 of them.
Very LOUD helicopters!
Directly overhead! Going over our unit now!
Pilgrims now preparing for a night of prayer and vigil there….and it is very cold at night here.
And another!
And another!
9.13pm
And another!
