Solemn Sung Eucharist at Johns

Thanks to daylight savings time, I showed up for the Solemn Sung Eucharist this morning at St Johns Chapel an hour early - normally that would be upsetting, but it gave me the chance to join in chapel breakfast in the formal hall, at high table in between the 8:30 and the 10:30 services. There, chapelgoers eat breakfast (either continental, for free, or a cooked breakfast which is half-subsidized by the chaplain) together, then participate in the Johnian tradition of toast-slinging, which involves going out to the Old Bridge and trying to throw the leftover pieces of toast across the Bridge of Sighs - a feat I had previously imagined to be impossible, but after seeing two people come very close today, I think it's likely I'll see it accomplished this term.

The service itself was brilliant - the choir was excellent, as always, but the principal difference from the usual 10:30 service was the addition of incense and extra-formal attire worn by the clergy. Since it didn't take any longer than a regular service, and it was so nice an addition, I'm surprised they don't do the "solemn" mass more than once a term. As a Johnian, I wore a white surplice along with the other members of the college with whom I was attending. Some chapels may be bigger, some may be older, but in terms of overall experience and balance, so far St Johns remains unchallenged, at least for me.