Pilgrims flock to Arundel for Corpus Christi

Hundreds of pilgrims from across the country had journeyed to Arundel Cathedral to take part in the religious feast day.

With just minutes until the procession was due to set off from the cathedral to the town’s historic castle, the clouds cleared and the sun broke through, much to the relief of worshippers inside.

The cathedral’s secretary, Louise Sharp, said: “It was still raining right until about 5.20pm, so a very late decision had to be made, during the mass, as to whether the procession went ahead. It was right to the wire.”

A service of mass was the focal point of the religious feast day, and brought to an end the two-day flower festival during which a spectacular, 93ft-long carpet was on view in the central aisle of the cathedral.

Thousands of people visited the cathedral over the two days of the festival to see the floral carpet, which was designed and made by women members of the congregation.

Each year there is a different design for the carpet, and this year’s marked two holy events, the first being the 900th anniversary of the Knights of Malta, with the religious group’s cross being included within the design.

The second was in homage to the now-retired Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and his message imploring Catholics across the globe to take part in a ‘Year of Faith’.

Following tradition, at the end of the mass, celebrated by the Rt Rev Kieran Conry, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, and Canon Tim Madeley, dean of the cathedral, the clergy, choir and congregation walked out of the cathedral over the carpet of flowers and then processed to the quadrangle of Arundel Castle, where a short service of benediction was held.

Knights of the Holy Sepulchre took part, alongside members of the Knights of Malta and Knights of St Gregory and Anglicans from St Nicolas’ Church, Arundel.

The Duke of Norfolk and members of his family also joined the hundreds of other worshippers.

Along the route from the cathedral to the castle, flower girls scattered petals at the head of the procession.

Arundel’s Corpus Christi celebration is thought to be the largest of its kind in the country.