I had about an hour to kill before going to Mass and I stupidly read a newspaper which, being a newspaper, was just depressing. This was a mistake because I should have spent more time at the Brompton Oratory.

When I arrived at the Oratory, Quarant’ Ore was taking place. This is the Catholic practice where there is forty hours continuous worship to the Blessed Sacrament. The alter this week was ablaze with candles and looked utterly beautiful. It was St Patrick’s Day and the reading from The First Letter to St Peter was apt.

Each one of you has received a special grace, so, like good stewards responsible for all these different graces God put yourselves at the service of others. If you are a speaker, speak words which seem to come from God; if you are a helper, help as though every action was done at God’s order. (4: 7-11)

Oh dear, how horribly I have fallen down on this. Unfortunately it is all too easy to sit in front of the blaze of candles and simply think!