On Saturday 5th December a Mass of Thanksgiving was offered at Westminster Cathedral in celebration of the golden jubilee of the Conference of Religious in England and Wales. For fifty years COR has existed for the benefit of all religious in these countries uniting its membership in collaborative initiatives translating gospel vision into reality, and offering support to those in positions of leadership.The Regent of Studies and four students travelled to London to attend the Mass. Nearly a thousand religious sisters, brothers and priests attended from around the country. The principal celebrant was the Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, and the concelebrants included eight Bishops. Both the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain and the Lord Mayor of the City of Westminster were in attendance. The event was a true celebration of religious life over the last fifty years. In his homily Dom Martin Shipperlee OSB, Abbot of Ealing and President of the executive committee of COR, called on all present to continue to draw inspiration from Our Lord's appointment and sending out of the seventy-two. He pointed out that many in the world still suffer the 'sickness' that can only be cured by the hearing and witness of the Gospel.
Archbishop Vincent Nichols also expressed thanks to the religious of this
country, especially women, in their essential and important work in the re-building and re-establishment of the Church in England. This point was truly brought home to me when I bumped into the former headmistress of my infant school, Sister Mary Philomena FCJ, at the reception afterwards. Sister Philomena prepared me for first confession and communion and helped with the other sisters in my school to instruct me in the faith. When she saw me, in my habit with cappa, she said that she had always looked at the hundreds of children who had passed though St. Aloysius and had hoped that one would at least try to become a priest or religious but she had not been expecting it to be me!The following Pictures were kindly provided by the COR's official photographer
What a splendid event !
ReplyDeleteNow; do tell me - how did you get the umbrella to hover over the Archbishop's head - was it through the prayers of S. Dominic, or is this an Archiepiscopal privilege ?
I love your old headmistress's comment! And so typical!
ReplyDeleteLove the "look-no hands" umbrella!
ReplyDeleteMove over Mary Poppins!!!
Ok I'll try again as last time it wouldn't go though. I saw you as we were processing in (I'm a cathedral server) and had hoped to compliment you on the blog afterwards. Alas I found that I was in the hall and you were in Vaugham Hse, and we missed eacxh other. Have to wait till we go to Oxford Liz.!!!!
ReplyDelete