Arundel is a small city near the south coast of England.
The Catholic Cathedral there becomes a place of pilgrimage each year when people come to see the Carpet of Flowers set in place for the Feast of Corpus Christi.

The tradition began in 1877 when the then Duke of Norfolk, Duke Henry, saw the carpets of flowers laid in the streets of Italy.

In the early days, the flowers were grown and laid by workers from the Dukes of Norfolk's nearby estate.
The carpet was laid just for the celebration of the feast day Mass and Benediction - but, over the years, the designs have become more complex and the flowers now come from local nurseries.

The carpet of flowers is laid and is on view for two days - the Feast of Corpus Christi and the day before.

Carpet of Flowers (274765 bytes)

The Festival, which celebrates the Presence of Christ in the sacramental form of bread culminates with Mass and a procession of the Blessed Sacrament - carried along the Carpet of Flowers - to the grounds of nearby Arundel Castle where Benediction is celebrated.

The Procession returns to the Cathedral where a second Benediction is celebrated.

The Sacrament is then reserved as a sign of the continuing living presence of Christ in the world.

 

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