Habemus Papam: We have a new Pope: Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV

Robert Prevost: Pope Leo XIV

Cardinal Robert Prevost is an Augustinian who was born in Chicago and has served in Peru as a missionary and as head of the church's Dicastery for Bishops, who oversees the selection of new bishops. 

In his opening address, before he gave the people in St Peter's Square and people throughout the world, he reminded us of the words of the risen Lord, 

Peace be with you

and spoke of peace throughout the whole earth and encouraged us all to build bridges and work together for peace. 

Please pray for Pope Leo XIV

Pope Francis' Prayer Intentions

Pope Francis' Prayer Intentions

During his pontificate Pope Francis has invited us to pray for those in need around the world, whilst all his prayer intentions for the year were published the usual monthly video for May is of course not available.  However instead a short video reminding us all of those prayer intentions throughout the years has been prepared with those recipients thanking Pope Francis for his prayers and encouragement to us all to pray for ...

And whilst we await and pray for the Cardinals who will discern who will be our new Pope we remember Pope Francis' prayer plan to pray for working conditions 

Let us pray that through work, each person might find fulfillment, families might be sustained in dignity, and that society might be humanized. Amen

Blessing and Sprinkling of Holy Water

Blessing and Sprinkling of Holy Water

Bishop Paul Swarbrick sprinkling congregation
Easter Vigil 2024 

The Roman Missal recommends that Sunday Mass occasionally includes the blessing and sprinkling of Holy Water as a reminder of our baptism, especially during the Easter season. Therefore, throughout Eastertide we will observe this rite at the 10.30am Mass. The prayers are as follows:

After the greeting the priest blesses the water:

Dear brethren, let us humbly beseech the Lord our God to bless this water he has created, which will be sprinkled on us as a memorial of our baptism. May he help us by his grace to remain faithful to the Spirit we have received.

Lord our God, in your mercy be present to your peoples prayers, and, for us who recall the wondrous work of our redemption, graciously bless this water. God your created water to make the fields fruitful and to refresh and cleanse our bodies. You also made water the instrument of your mercy: for through water you freed your people from slavery in the desert; through water the prophets proclaimed the new covenant you were to enter upon with the human race; and last of all. Through water, which Christ made holy in the Jordan, you renewed our corrupt-ed nature in the bath of regeneration. Therefore, may this water be for us a memorial of the baptism we have received, and grant that we may share in the gladness of our brothers and sisters who at Easter have received their baptism. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

The priest blesses the salt before adding it to the water:

We humbly ask you, almighty God: be pleased in your faithful love to bless this salt you have created, for it was you who commanded the prophet Elisha to cast salt into water, that impure water might be purified. Grant, O Lord, we pray, that, wherever this mixture of salt and water is sprinkled every attack of the enemy may be repulsed and your Holy Spirit may be present to keep us safe at all times. Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The salt is then added to the holy water.

The priest sprinkles himself, and then all the congregation, with holy water, asking forgiveness of our sins in preparation to celebrate Holy Mass. During which the choir sing.

When he returns to the altar he says:

May almighty God cleanse us of our sins, and through the celebration of this Eucharist make us worthy to share at the table of his Kingdom. Amen.

Mass continues with the Gloria

Book of condolence

 Pope Francis (RIP)

1936 - 2025

Our Holy Father Pope Francis passed away on Monday morning. After leading the Church as the 266th successor of St Peter for 12 years he has gone to his eternal reward. 

As a parish we keep him in our prayers, and pray also for those cardinals who have the solemn duty of choosing the new pope. Books of condolence are available at the back of the Cathedral to sign.  

Book of Condolence

This is located next to the statue of St Peter holding the keys and is a replica of one in Rome.  A reminder of the first Pope and link of continuity with Pope Francis who was the 266th Pope.

The Bishop will celebrate a requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of the Holy Father on Monday at 7pm in the Cathedral. Please make a special effort to be there to show our love and esteem

St Peter's Key's

From a previous Easter Octave post: The peaceful Beauty of Lancaster Cathedral created by a parishioner.    

Pope Francis

 Pope Francis 1923 to 2025 RIP

We pray for the repose of the soul and give thanks for the life of Pope Francis who has died today Easter Monday, aged 88.  The Vatican News item.announced: 

"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God." 

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, from the Casa Santa Marta, Monday 21st April at 9.45am

Pope Francis

Over the past years Pope Francis' prayer intentions have been shared and quotes and reflections used on our Taize Advent and Lent reflections and his commitment to the Season of Creation and encyclical Laudate Si (Praise be to God) shaped our images and music used in Meditation during the month of September each year. 

There will be a Requiem Mass at Lancaster Cathedral at 7.00pm tonight. 

East Vigil

 Easter Vigil

The Easter Vigil is the final part of the Triduum.  As Fr John explained in his homily it is marked by three symbols, light, water and the word Alleluia. 

Paschal Candle enters a darkened Cathedral

Singing the Exultet

Light - symbolised by the Paschal Candle that was lit from the fire outside and brought into the Cathedral at dusk. Due to the late Easter it wasn't as dark as it usually is, but the symbolism was still powerful as the Paschal Candle was raised three times, at the back, middle and front of the Church. Fr John sang 'Lumen Christi' (The Light of Christ) to which we replied 'Deo Gratis' (Thanks be to God). He then sang the Exultet (The Easter proclamation). 

Liturgy of the Word - After that we listened to the story of salvation with familiar Old Testament readings including the story of Creation, Abraham and Isaac, and the Exodus, and psalms. The readings were read in darkening Church, at the end Bishop Paul sang out Gloria in Excelsis and the bells rang, the organ played and the candles were lit and lights turned on.  This is always a very powerful reminder that Jesus is the light of the world who has risen from the dead and brought us eternal life. And sang the Alleluia to greet the Gospel something we haven't done throughout the season of Lent.

Water - We moved to the symbol of water where some of the congregation were able to join a member of the parish being baptised. The choir sang a litany of the saints and we saw the Bishop plunge the Paschal candle into the water in the font to bless it. 

Baptism - The Baptism involved baptismal promises (those gathered also renewed their promises) anointing with oil that had been consecrated at the Chrism Mass on Thursday was used, and water poured three times over the head, with the words I baptise you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. A Baptismal candle and white garment were presented symbolising light and purity. 

Confirmation - After that we returned to our seats and the five people being received into the Catholic Church made their professional of faith and were then confirmed by the Bishop.

We continued with the rest of our Mass, and at the end were sent out in the Peace of Christ, Alleluia.  This time there was joyful greetings of Happy Easter and He is risen, a contrast to the silent departure of the previous days.  We will celebrate the Easter Season for 50 days. Alleluia.

Final Blessing - Alleluia

A warm welcome 

For five parishioners who were received into the Catholic Church with one of them also being baptised. As the Bishop reminded them, they are now as Catholic as he is!

Parishioners received into the Catholic Church

Good Friday

Good Friday

Today we gathered in silence at 3.00 to listen to the Lord's Passion from John's Gospel, venerate the cross and receive Holy Communion.   

Bare altar with Crucifix and candles

Again we left in silence, tomorrow we will return for the Easter Vigil where we will have the third part of our Holy Triduum. 

Below a traditional Good Friday hymn for reflection.