EACH year, according to the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton:

The feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), is celebrated in Arundel Cathedral with a carpet of flowers laid down the length of the centre aisle in honour of Blessed Sacrament; the whole work is undertaken by parishioners.

Well, earlier today, The West Sussex Gazette carried a HUGE front page picture of this year’s carpet, the theme of which is The Year of the Priest.

Given the mess the Catholic Church is in over the behaviour worldwide of its kiddie-fiddling Â priests, this theme is, to say the least, is a tad insensitive, don’t you think?

Anyway, the diocese explains:

In the ancient world it was the custom to strew flowers in the path of important persons as a sign of respect and reverence. This custom was adopted by the Church to honour the Blessed Sacrament, carried in procession on the festival of Corpus Christi. In some places in Europe this practice was extended so that whole streets were carpeted with flowers. Even today, in some towns in Italy, a carpet of flowers is laid for the entire route of the procession, in intricate patterns and pictures depicting scenes from the gospels.

What’s the bet no pansies are included.

Hat tip: Elaine Ansell