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I am making myself an alb: a thread about vocation, craft, family and hope. 1
Ten days ago, I was informed that I have been recommended for training for the priesthood. God willing, I will train at @RiponCuddesdon, where Matthew and I will live for three years. 2
It's strange to have the prospect of such joy in the midst of uncertainty and yearning. Every day feels like Holy Saturday. I'm cut off from my usual worshipping communities. So, I am making myself an alb. 3
This is essentially a form of Roman underwear, a simple white (alba) tunic which goes over a cassock and under any other vestments. It's not an essential item for ordinands (priests in training) but I should make use of it in the coming years. 4
My mum reminded me that we have four beautiful linen sheets tucked away. They belonged to her grandmother, and at least two of them are much older than that, embroidered with tiny stitches by a pre-Victorian ancestor. 5
The oldest ones are rather grey, but a newer one (machine stitched, and not quite so worn) is perfect: fine white linen, now washed and dried in the sun. 6
I love the idea of clothing myself in something so clean, but which has seen so much of life: births and deaths and bridal nights. It's a reminder of the scandal of Christ's life: that he entered fully into human life, but remained sinless. 7
Having fallen down a rabbit-hole of pious American Roman-Catholic grandmas (who have cornered the market when it comes to online amateur vestment making), I have designed and cut my pattern (once again, with apologies to the TLS). 8
I'll be using my grandmother's sewing machine to put it together. She ran a curtain business and taught us grandchildren basic dressmaking skills. The smell of a hot iron and the feel of pins never fails to conjure her for me. She was patient and kind, and brimmed with love. 9
I never discussed my vocation with her, so I'm particularly grateful to be able to carry her love onwards with me in this garment. 10
I'm making a promise to myself as I make this alb; better days are coming, but we cannot skip over the cold of the tomb on Holy Saturday to get straight to Easter. I want to promise not to forget the people whom we wall up in the tomb. That's where Christ is. 11
