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Behind the Scenes at the Cathedral

Preparations for the feast of Corpus Christi

People come to see the Carpet of Flowers from near and far. They have many questions about the religious significance, the history and the processes involved. This article aims to answer some of them.

Religious Significance

The Roman Catholic feast of Corpus Christi (Latin for ‘the body of Christ’) is a celebration of the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. It dates back to 1264 and takes place, on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, following Pentecost Sunday, which is fifty days after Easter. There is a solemn Mass at 5.30pm in Arundel Cathedral, said by Bishop Richard Moth, the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton. Also taking part are many Canons and Priests from the Diocese. At the end of the Mass, the Bishop

carries the Blessed Sacrament, under an ombrellino, (a small canopy) over the Carpet of Flowers created specifically for this purpose, following the ancient tradition of strewing the ground with flowers before important people. Once outside the Bishop carries the Sacred Eucharist under the protection of a baldachin (canopy) supported on four poles by four bearers. Children who have recently made their First Holy Communion strew flowers before the Eucharistic procession. The clergy, several lay orders, including the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, the Knights of Saint Columba, and the congregation then process out of the Cathedral bearing witness to the Eucharist by the procession to Arundel Castle. In the quadrangle, there follows a Benediction service before the procession returns to the Cathedral for the final part of the Benediction.

Short Historical Outline

In 1873 the Duke of Norfolk, Duke Henry VI built the church which became Arundel Cathedral. Following his visit to Sutri, near Rome, where he first saw the custom of a carpet of flowers, he was so impressed that he was inspired to introduce the tradition to Arundel Cathedral in 1877. Since then, a carpet of flowers has been laid every year until the present day. The only exceptions were 2 years: during World War 1 and in 2020 during the Covid pandemic.

The Process and Themes

When one of the parishioners involved in working on the Carpet of Flowers was asked: ‘When do you start working on the carpet of flowers?’ her reply was:

‘As soon as we have swept up this one after the procession on Corpus Christi, we start planning next year’s one.’

That seems to sum up the approach. They start thinking about the next one straight away.

Every year in January and February, members of the Corpus Christi Core Team at the Cathedral meet with the parish Priest to discuss ideas for the themes for the current year’s Carpet of Flowers. The theme or themes are related to significant religious events and/or anniversaries in the particular year. 2025 was a Jubilee Year. Every 25 years the Church celebrates a Holy or Jubilee Year. The Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica was opened on this occasion by Pope Francis on 24th December 2024. There is a theme for each Jubilee Year. In 2025, it was ‘Pilgrims of Hope.’ At each end of the carpet, the words ‘Jubilee Year’ can be seen made out of flowers.

Laying out the design of the Carpet

Themes of the 2025 Carpet of Flowers

The death of Pope Francis on 21st April 2025 and the election of Pope Leo on 8th May 2025 are commemorated in the Carpet by their initials. Between the two quadrangles bearing the initials, are the Vatican keys. This symbolises the passing of the keys of Saint Peter from Pope Francis to Pope Leo.

The 60th anniversary of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton is also referenced.

The focus of the celebration of the solemn feast of Corpus Christi as described above, is aptly the floral representation of the Holy Eucharist and the Chalice, the Body and Blood of Christ in the central part of the Carpet.

Once the themes are agreed with Father Stephen Dingley, Dean of the Cathedral and Parish Priest, and with Bishop Richard Moth, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton Diocese, work begins on the design.

The design is drawn up by Oliver Hawkins, a parishioner, and his team. An outline design which is the full length of the main aisle of the Cathedral, 90 foot long, is produced. I had imagined that this was done on a large table in Oliver’s house; a section of approximately 6 to 9 foot being done at a time, so that this could be rolled out later in the Cathedral. However, this was not the case. I was able to witness the arrival, unrolling and installation of a blank sheet of brown underlay paper which covered the length of the aisle. This was then stuck in place to the stone floor. The next stage consisted of a team of three 3 using pre-prepared stencils and architectural rulers to draw out the whole design. This took most of the day.

Several months before the feast day, the Flower Team, a group of 5 ladies, met to discuss the specific flower types, colours, and quantities required both for the carpet and for the floral designs around the Cathedral which need to be ordered. In addition, they receive greenery for the Carpet from the Arundel Estate, and greenery for the floral displays from Arundel Castle.

In 2025, 10,000 flower heads - 350 bunches of Chrysanthemums were required for the Carpet of Flowers. Chrysanthemums are used as these flowers are long lasting and the flower heads can lie flat. These are ordered from a supplier in Holland, as there are none in the UK who could supply the quantity and range of colours needed. Clearly, this has to be done a long of time in advance. Santini chrysanthemums were used for the lettering. The design is topped off with roses as centrepieces.

Due to various circumstances, such as weather conditions, sometimes the colours ordered may not be available, and different colours may be substituted. The flower team adapts and is extremely grateful for the beautiful chrysanthemums, whatever the colour.

Preparing the Carpet

The greenery from the Castle and the Norfolk Estate arrives at the Cathedral between Friday and Monday. The flowers for the altar arrangements arrive on Saturday or Sunday. There were 1600 flower stems for the 45 arrangements around the Cathedral. First they are sorted

Floral Displays around lectern

according to which altar or statue they will adorn, placed in containers and labelled with their content and destination. They are also topped up with water over the next few days. On Sunday afternoon they are put in place in the cathedral ready for Monday morning.

Throughout this whole process there is an army of volunteers, men and women who are constantly helping from early morning till dusk. Lifting, carrying, watering, sweeping, mopping up, making tea, coffee, chatting to visitors and generally doing whatever is needed and far beyond; even trying to coax an inquisitive pigeon out of the cathedral. Without them none of this could be done. Their contribution is invaluable.

On Monday the Flower Arrangers, 16 this year, start to arrive. They collect greenery for displays from in front of the Sanctuary and begin making

their flower arrangements. This takes most of the day depending on the size of the arrangement. Without a doubt, they were all magnificent. It was also a great privilege to be able to have some of the Cathedral’s exquisite vestments on display, with the floral arrangements expertly complementing the colours of the vestments.

Also, on Monday a group of approximately 20 volunteers from the parish and the diocese cut the greenery. The volunteers cut it to size and remove any visible stems so that it is soft underfoot and lies flat on the carpet. This takes most of Monday.

The Chrysanthemums for the Carpet arrive on Sunday or Monday. They are not cut until Tuesday morning to prolong their appearance, again by around 20 volunteers. The flower heads have to be cut so that they lie flat. The Carpet is laid on Tuesday. Laying of the greenery and flowers starts around 10.00am and is completed between 3.30 – 5.00pm depending on the complexity and number of volunteers working on the carpet. In 2025 there were between 16 –20 ladies working on the carpet. Volunteers are welcome for any period of time, knees and back permitting. Anything from 1 hour to all day, as suits.

Many people ask how long the whole process takes, and other questions about the process of the preparations for this great feast day. Some ask what is the purpose, what are we celebrating. I hope this has provided some answers. It is all done for the glory of God.

A visitor commented on the flowers and Carpet, ‘It’s amazing that this is all done in one day.’

‘Yes, it would be amazing! It would be a miracle!’ There is a lot to do behind the scenes. Please contact the Cathedral if you would like to volunteer.

Floral Displays around the lectern

Thank you to everyone who helped in any way, however big or small, and to everyone who visited or attended.

Here is a link to a video showing Preparation of the Carpet and Floral Arrangements as well as a drone view of the completed Carpet: https://arundelcathedral.uk/viewcorpus-christi-drone-and-floral-displays2025

Drone views of the Carpet Of Flowers