For over 140 years, Arundel Cathedral has celebrated the feast of Corpus Christi with a festival of flowers, which includes a magnificent carpet of flowers in the central aisle of the Cathedral and a procession of the Blessed Sacrament from the Cathedral to the courtyard of Arundel Castle, where Benediction is given.
This year’s design was themed on ‘Adoremus Liverpool 2018’ – the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage & Congress that takes place 7-9 September 2018.
In 2019 the Carpet of Flowers will be open to public view on Wednesday 19 June from 9.30am to 8.00pm and on Thursday 20th June from 9.30am until celebration of Mass at 5.30pm and the Blessed Sacrament procession to the Castle. Many thousands of people come from all over the south of England to visit the Cathedral on these two days.
There is no charge for admission and refreshments are available throughout both days in the Cathedral Centre, a short distance from the Cathedral. Photographs of this year’s carpet will be on sale plus many other items.
There will be numerous floral displays around the Cathedral. Flower arrangers are invited to take part and are given a free hand in the design of displays.
The Cathedral will also be open to the public on Tuesday 18th June whilst the carpet is being laid by Cathedral parishioners. This normally starts after the 10.00am Mass and the parishioners work until it is finished, usually by 5.00pm.
Masses on the Feast of Corpus Christi (Thursday 20th June 2019) are at 8.30am at the Convent of the Poor Clares, Crossbush and in the Cathedral at 5.30pm. The 5.30pm Mass is presided by Bishop Richard Moth and is followed by procession to the Castle for Benediction.