The Consecration of Buckfast Abbey

In my recent post The Consecration of Downside Abbey in 1935 I referred to the consecration of Buckfast Abbey in 1932 following its rebuilding by the monks. I have now found online some film of the procession on that occasion with Cardinal Bourne as the Papal Legate and consecrator. At the time the abbey church was complete although the tower was not to be completed until 1938. The church had not yet received its distinctive stained glass made by one of the monks, nor the rather doubtful addition of an eastern chapel in the 1960s. In recent years work has been done installing cosmat-style flooring beyond the original sanctuary area. 

As with both the images and commentary from Downside three years later one is struck by the seeming strength and confidence of the Benedictines at that time. 

The film, from British Pathe can be viewed at A Dream Comes True! (1932).