Hello, world! I'm not really sure that I understand this blogging business, but we'll see what comes of it.

The beginning of this blog follows a visit to one of the best hidden secrets of London.

Near St Bartholomew's Hospital is the church of St Bartholomew the Great, built by Rahere, a Jester and courtier of King Henry I who, towards the end of his life, took Holy Orders and committed his life totally to God. He became the first prior of the great church that he built.

It is a place of wonderful peace and beauty, an act of thanksgiving for health and life.

The title for this blog is Pater Seraphicus because our faith is something that should give us a certain outlook on the things that happen in the world around us.

We do not ignore suffering and oppression and disease - far from it. But because we know the last word is with God, we are strengthened. Rahere survived the wreck of the White Ship, where King Henry's son and heir died. He survived fever and severe illness in Rome. The results were that he wanted to give thnks and to help others. To view the world with the eyes of a Seraph - with compassion and sorrow but also with a great love and a massive hope for the future.

Rahere's church (or most of it) still stands.