Pageantry and Pedantry

Title courtesy of Cheeryoscuro.

The Catholics are so good at ceremony and ritual - here the Archbishop is helping carry in the cross that will be taken to every church in the diocese until the worldwide youth conference in Lisbon in August 2023 (delayed because of Covid), to the accompaniment of the young folk singing and playing guitars.

Not so good at public speaking, unfortunately - both mainspeakers were so boring and long-winded and hard to follow, and no visuals at all... don't want to be mean, but it's true. The Portuguese appear to have huge tolerance for this sort of endless talking. Over a hamburger with Padre Luís afterwards, I offered my services to teach some skills at their seminary!! Ha.

Loved the stained glass in my thumbnail - Alentejano motifs of wheat, olives, holm acorns, and a starry sky.

Gratefuls:
- going out this morning to see five (!) hot air balloons in the sky
- safe trip to Évora and back, and meeting lots of friends
- watching "Ticket to Paradise" at the cinema afterwards, with Mike (only film on) - total feel good escapism with Julia Roberts and George Clooney