Sunday, October 08, 2006

Life in Canterbury

The friary is near the site of the first Franciscan friary in the U.K. The first friars arrived here in 1224 and settled on a marshy island near the centre of Canterbury. Most of the friary buildings were demolished in the dissolution of the monasteries but one remained, and is still there today. It is a place of prayer for those who come and is also used as our chapel.

The surrounding gardens and meadow are an island of peace in the centre of the city.

The last twenty four hours have been busy. A young man, perhaps intoxicated, sleeping on the grass in the garden. Our tertiaries coming for a Eucharist. All sorts of other people popping in and out. A car parked in the driveway, blocking others, and the search to find the owner of the car. A man coming with a gift of a can of catfood for the frairy cat. Another Franciscan friar, one of my fellow students, passing by.

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