Year 7 Visit to Rochester Cathedral
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Kneeling by the votive candles. |
Looking heavenward in the choir stalls! |
Impressed by the size of the organ. |
Experiencing the life of a medieval monk in the crypt. |
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The Bexleyheath Benedictines process through the crypt. |
The Prior leads his fellow monks in prayer. |
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| Monk-eying around at the Cathedral On Wednesday 3rd July 2002 a group of around 90 students from 7GD,7RP,7GS and 7RW, along with members of staff from the Humanities Department visited the historic city of Rochester. The History Department went to the splendid ruin that is Rochester Castle, the Geography Department conducted a street survey, and the RE Department, led by Mr Clark, visited Rochester Cathedral - the 'Mother Church' of Bexleyheath. Some of the students concentrated on aspects of pilgrimage. Pilgrims have been coming to Rochester and its Cathedral since 600CE, and they heard many stories like that of St William of Perth, who was murdered on his way to the crusades in the 12th Century. Students from 7GD and 7RP were given a talk about the Benedictine origins of the Cathedral, before actually changing into monastic vestments and habits. |  A Medieval monk taking his punishment! |
| What a Filthy Habit! According to their guide, monks in a medieval monastery were expected to take three vows or promises. These were: Poverty Chastity, and Obedience. During their time in the Cathedral they acted out the vow making ceremony. The students also learned that the monks would be expected to go to bed at 8pm, get up at midnight for prayer, and go back to bed for two hours, before getting up again at 2am for more prayer! One of the hardest things the group were asked to do was keep a vow of silence, although they were also shown punishments given to disobedient monks, in case they broke this vow. This involved lying face down on the floor and being beaten! All involved said they enjoyed this visit very much. 
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 Time for prayer under the arches of the crypt. |