THE 2021 CARPET OF FLOWERS

The tradition of Arundel’s Corpus Christi Carpet of Flowers was instituted by Henry, XV Duke of Norfolk, in the 1870s, soon after the consecration of the church. He had been impressed seeing streets carpeted in flowers in a village outside Rome, and decided that such a celebration should take place in Arundel. The only break in the tradition occurred during the First World War when the estate workers responsible for laying the flowers were at the Front. Over the years since then the work has been taken over by parishioners, with a theme selected each year to form the basis for the decoration.

Following the disappointment of the 2020 lockdown, the first break in over a hundred years, there was determination to have at least some form of celebration for this year’s feast of Corpus Christi. Instead of the usual full display and procession to and from the Castle, a smaller, semi-circular carpet was laid in front of the altar, featuring the lilies associated with St Joseph, and Bishop Richard carried the Blessed Sacrament in a procession around the interior of the Cathedral.

It was particularly pleasing this year to have the help of a group of young parishioners, whose deft handling of the flowers and foliage (opposite) made the laying of the carpet seem effortless. As the members of the main team progress well beyond their allotted threescore years and ten it is reassuring to know that a younger generation is taking an interest in this fine tradition.