30 March 2025

When we visited Leicester Cathedral, we saw the place where the bones of King Richard III had been buried. They had been discovered in a car park belonging to the Social Work Department and buried in the Cathedral ten years ago.

Nearby, there was the Chapel of Christ the King. In the Great East Window, there was a memorial in stained glass to those who perished in the First World War. The central image is of the ascended Christ. There are some saints – Joan, Michael, George and Martin, the patron saint of the Cathedral.

In one light, you can see the burning of Ypres in the background and St. Joan of Arc comforting a little girl who has become a victim of the devastation. Where is she going to find shelter for the night? This touching detail was created by the artist Christopher Whall.

As we were looking at this window, an office-bearer approached, engaged us in conversation and explained all the detail of the window. It was very illuminating. I took him to be a verger or, possibly, what we would call the Beadle or the Church Officer.

Two days later, we were back at a son et lumière on the south wall of the Cathedral. The lights and pictures projected onto the Cathedral were accompanied by commentary about the city. The photograph depicts King Richard III. After each performance, crowds flocked into the Cathedral. We did too.

It was marvellous to see so many people of all ages looking round not least at the burial place of King Richard. But there amongst the crowd was the Church Officer chatting enthusiastically with anyone and everyone.

‘The Cathedral takes  every opportunity to engage with the people of our city.’ he said clearly enjoying the interface between the church and  world. It was a splendid opportunity for people to take ownership of their city’s cathedral and to value a memory of such a friendly welcome.