Papal Visit - some non-ticket possibilities


There was a festive air at my parish this morning as people picked up their "Pilgrim Pack" for Hyde Park or Cofton Park. We had our allocation for Hyde Park doubled to 100 places and I am pleased to say that these are filled up. We also managed to shift our 400 copies of the official booklet Magnificat and I managed to get another 300 from a nearby parish. I suggested to people that they give them to their non-Catholic friends. Many good people will appreciate a special memento of the visit which will dominate the media during the coming week.

There are still ways of taking part in the visit if you haven't got a ticket for Hyde Park, Cofton Park, or Bellahouston, or if the arrangements for those events are too taxing for you.

One important opportunity is to line the streets when the Popemobile goes by. Here are the details from the UK Papal Visit website

Thursday 16 September, Edinburgh
At around 12.30pm the Pope will travel in the popemobile from Holyrood Palace along Abbeyhill, Regent Road, Princes Street, Lothian Road, Tollcross and Morningside to Cardinal Keith O’Brien’s official residence.

Friday 17 September, London
At around 17:00 the Pope will travel in the popemobile from Lambeth Palace across Lambeth Bridge and along Millbank, the Pope arrives at the Palace of Westminster at around 17:15. There will be limited space along this route and limited vantage points from which to see the Pope.

Saturday 18 September, London
At 18:00 the Pope will travel in the popemobile along Horse Guards Road, The Mall, Constitution Hill and Hyde Park Corner before arriving at Hyde Park for the Prayer Vigil at around 18:30.

For those in London, it is also possible to offer a prayerful "Goodnight" to the Holy Father at the Apostolic Nunciature in Wimbledon:

Thursday 16 September
A vigil of prayer will be held to greet the Holy Father when he arrives after flying down from Glasgow to Heathrow. His expected time at Heathrow is 9.15pm and a group will be praying the Rosary and singing hymns from 9pm outside the Apostolic Nunciature in Wimbledon. You are asked to bring banners and flags if possible. (Thanks to the Pope Benedict in Southwark blog.)

Saturday 18 September
The Knights of St Columba are organising a vigil at Wimbledon to greet the Holy Father as he returns to the Apostolic Nunciature after the Hyde Park vigil. They will be gathering from 6.30-8.30pm. The event is informal and the Knights are not officially "stewarding" but will be around with "Collars" (the KSC insignia) to help in case of need.

The Nunciature is at 54 Parkside, Wimbledon SW19 5NE (google map).

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