Sequence for Feast of Body and Blood of Christ

Sequence for Feast of Body and Blood of Christ

 Ecce Panis Angelorum |  Behold the Bread of Angels 

A sequence is a poem / hymn that we say at important feasts. Tomorrow we will say Behold the Bread of Angels which is the last four verses of a longer piece of writing by St Thomas Aquinas called Lauda Sion (1274).

Monstrance

Ecce Panis Angelorum                     Behold the Bread of Angels, 

Factus cibus viatorum                       made the food of wayfarers, 

Vere panis filiorum,                           Truly the bread of children, 

Non mittendus canibus.                    not to be given to the dogs.

In figuris praesignatur,                      Presignified by figure, 

Cum Isaac immolatur,                       When Isaac was immolated, 

Agnus Paschae deputatur,               the Paschal Lamb was commanded, 

Datur manna patribus.                      Manna was given to the fathers. 

Bone pastor, panis vere,                  Good shepherd, true Bread, 

Jesu, nostri miserere:                       Jesus, have mercy on us; 

Tu nos pasce, nos tuere,                  Feed us, protect us, 

Tu nos bona fac videre                     In Make us to see good things 

terra viventium.                                  in the land of the living. 

Tu qui cuncta scis et vales,              Thou who knowest and willest all things, 

Qui nos pascis hic mortales:            Who feeds us mortals by This; 

Tuos ibi commensales,                     Make thine own to be partakers of, 

Coheredes et sodales                       coheirs and citizens in 

Fac sanctorum civium.                      that holy City of Saints

Panis Angelicus

What some may also recognise is the hymn Panis Angelicus which are the last two verses of a longer hymn celebrating the Eucharist known as Sacris solemniis

First Holy Communion

 After a longer than usual preparation 5 of our young people received Jesus for the first time on Saturday 18th September.  They have been preparing since January 2020.  They were joined by their families for a mass concelebrated by Fr Steve and Fr Chapple. Although very different from other years this was a special celebration and already they've had the opportunity to receive communion for a second time.

Fr Stephen Pearson and Fr Stuart Chapple
Holy Communion Group 2021 

Our children's Trinity ...

Today the families who are preparing their children to make their first confession and first Holy Communion gathered together as we had our first family session for the My Lord and My God sacramental preparation programme. The parents have already been meeting to learn more about praying within the family, thinking about the Trinity and to think about the sacrament of reconciliation. Tomorrow they will formally enrol on the programme.

Children showing their Trinity Symbols 

We'll be updating parishioners about what everyone is doing over the coming weeks.  Today we wanted to share the children's images linked to the Trinity.  They focused on activities linked to God our Father who created the world.  We talked the loving and unloving things we do (sins) and remembered how God the Son, Jesus came to save us. And we talked about the Holy Spirit who Jesus sent to help us, as we created a wonderful dove with our hands, and then talked about how we can use our hands to remember who to pray for, following some ideas from Pope Francis.  We hope to show you some of those hands soon. 

First Holy Communion

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi).  As Fr Steve explained to the families and congregation a very fitting day for our young people to receive their first Holy Communion.

Fr Steve and Deacon Jim with children making first Holy Communion in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel

Children and their families have been preparing with our parish catechists since the start of the year and have been learning about what it means to be part of God's family as well as learning and receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation just before Easter, and making their first Holy Communion today. 
For those children who attend the Cathedral Primary School they have also been learning about Jesus from their teachers and teaching assistants. For example, when our parish had 40 hours of exposition the children came into Church to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. To learn more about what the children do at school why not visit the Cathedral Primary School website.

Fr Steve, Deacon Jim, Teachers and children making their first Holy Communion

The first teachers of the faith.  All the children have been prepared by their families who brought them to be baptised and then have supported them on our parish preparation programme, My Lord and My God.  Fr Steve thanked them for what they have done and what they will do in the future.  As part of the programme families have taken time to make a pledge for what they will do ... see our parish noticeboard to learn more.

Families and friends join together for a group photo on this very special day.

Celebration Mass - will be held at St Thomas More's on Tuesday 2nd July at 6.30pm At the end of Mass the children and our confirmandi will receive their certifications.
All welcome 

Preparing for first Holy Communion

Learning how to receive Jesus reverently

Last night the children and families came to make their final preparation for First Holy Communion which takes place at 10.30am Mass at Lancaster Cathedral.  This year the children will be making their first holy communion on the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Feast of Corpus Christi), which is of course very fitting.

Walking fown the aisle

Please keep the children and their families in your prayers.

Sacramental Preparation Information Meetings

As eagle eyed readers of the blog may have noticed we've added some new pages for our sacramental preparation.  There is now a page for each sacrament where there are details of our sacramental programmes so something for everyone - please look at sacraments pages.

St Peter's Way - Confirmation Programme

Our preparation programme is for young people who are year 9 or above.  There is an information meeting for young people and their parents on Sunday 2nd December after 6,30pm Mass. The meeting will give you a chance to ask questions and to hear more about the programme, which is designed to give young people a chance to revisit the sacraments of initiation and think about what it means to be a Catholic today. 

At the end of the meeting adults and young people will be given a form to fill in with contact details and then one to take away and complete by Christmas. 



My Lord and My God - Reconciliation and Holy Communion Programme

Our parish preparation programme is for children in year 3 or above. An important part of the programme are the sessions for parents and adult supporters - Grandparents, Aunties, Uncles, Godparents are also welcome. 

The information meeting is for adults only and will take place at Cathedral House on Tuesday 4th December at 7.30pm  You will be asked to complete a form with contact details and then one to take away and complete by Christmas.

This meeting is earlier than usual so please spread the word to anyone who maybe interested.

First Holy Communion

Entrance procession

Today eleven of our young people came to the end of their preparation programme My Lord and My God and received Holy Communion for the first time.  

This is the start of their their journey of faith when they may be nourished by the Eucharist.  

As Fr Steve wrote in the parish newsletter:
This will be a day when these youngsters enter into a Eucharistic connection with our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Already unity to Him through their baptism, this next stage of their Catholic identity lasts more than a life time ... it is the food for the journey into eternal life with Christ.  Christ their Saviour becomes Christ their friend.

First Holy Communion Group 2018

Fr Steve continued: 
May I take this opportunity to thank the families of the children for their continuing care for their life of faith.  This continuing encouragement from them to pray, to come together for Sunday Mass and to stage close to the values of the Gospel is the most important duty for Catholic parents.  May I also express my deep gratitude to the Catechists who have helped the children and the parents prepare for this great celebration.  Thank you children, families and Catechists.  Fr Steve 

Preparing for Holy Communion

Children getting ready for Holy Communion 

Rehearsal in the sacristy 

This evening children and their families came to the Cathedral to have a final practice to prepare for their First Holy Communion which will take place on Sunday at the 10.30am Mass at the Cathedral. 

There are two ways we can receive communion on the tongue or in the hands.  It is important that we prepare prayerfully and receive communion with reverence. See video below as a reminder for how to receive and things we shouldn't do!

Please keep the children and parents in your prayers.

Thank you for your service

There are many people within the parish who helped to make the First Holy Communion Mass a really special occasion. Our prayers and thanks to all who helped to make the day special. Fr Steve who celebrated mass and was joined at Communion by Fr Andrew, the servers who did an excellent service and set a wonderful example for future servers, to our readers, two of the many who read each week to help us hear God's Word, to siblings of our first communicants who brought up the offertory.  To Damian and the choristers who sang during Mass, Josie who welcomed parishioners as they arrived, Gerry who took the photographs, Jane and Catherine who had prepared the flowers, Claire our sacristan, Caroline and Clemmie who set up extra chairs as well as their working all weekend for the Art exhibition for Aid to the Church in Need. 

How many services within this one picture?
Priest, servers, offertory procession, catechist, sacristan, florist and photographer!

Last but not least thank you to all the catechists who all had roles on the day but have also shared their faith and helped the parents and families as they prepared their children to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. 

Holy Communion Catechist Team 2017

Fr Steve writes: I also wish to express my (our) deep gratitude to the Catechists who have helped to prepare them, and our Confirmation candidates, for these recent celebrations. The Catechists give of their faith, time and effort on behalf of our community so that people are well prepared for these milestones in their lives of faith. Thank you to all of them for hard work faithfully delivered. Fr Steve

First Holy Communion

Today, 28 of our young people who attend the Cathedral and St Thomas More received their First Holy Communion.  They and their families have been preparing since January and today they received Jesus in this second sacrament of their initiation into being a full member of the Church.
Fr Steve writes:

First Holy Communion, is truly a wonderful occasion, the first of many, when they will know the joy of receiving The Lord and taking their rightful place within the Body of Christ (The Church). I wish to express my appreciation of them and their parents who have followed the way of preparation so fruitfully. Please be assured that there is always a welcome for you all within our community. Fr Steve

Holy Communion 2017 

There will be a celebration mass where certificates will be presented on Tuesday 11th July at St Thomas More at 6.30pm

Spending time with the Lord

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 2017

The parish exposition of the Blessed Sacrament continues today.  With parishioners coming to spend time with the Lord, praying for their own intentions and for those of the parish. We remember the children preparing to receive their first Holy Communion. Tomorrow they will come and spend some time before the Blessed Sacrament.

The candles and flowers (beautiful as always) help to focus attention and remind us of the importance of the Eucharist.

Exposition will continue until Sunday at vespers.  All welcome.

Exposition of Blessed Sacrament

Centre of the Monstance used 2017

Monstrance used 2017

This morning the Blessed Sacrament was placed into a Monstrance,  The word monstrance comes from the Latin word monstrare which means to 'expose' or 'show'.  The blessed sacrament is placed inside and the monstrance is placed on the altar ... for adoration.  

Monstrance place at side of altar after exposition

Fr Andrew putting out the lights after exposition

Throughout the day and all tomorrow and Sunday people will come to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. 

Cathedral Trail

Adults looking round year of faith

This week adults and children have been looking round the Cathedral and learning more about the signs and symbols we have in church which can teach us more about our faith. 
On Tuesday evening parents looked round and this morning shared some of the things they had found out by looking at the pictures and information in the Year of Faith display.  Although it is a few years since the Year of Faith the display remains a fascinating account of key moments in Church history as well as the world.

Sharing ideas - Can you find ....

Look what I've found ...

The children then went and learned more about the offertory and the gifts of bread and wine, what we do in the benches and the link between the Ambo and the Altar, and then talked about the chalice and what we say when the priest says 'The Body of Christ' ... Amen and what it means. We finished our trail in the Blessed Sacrament chapel where we sang 'O Sacrament most Holy ... '.  More about other parts of our trail soon.

Celebration Mass

Last night children who received their first Holy Communion on 19th June gathered with their families at St Thomas More.  They were joined by our young people who were confirmed at Pentecost in May. Fr Steve celebrated Mass and thanked catechists who had worked with parents and families to help prepare our young people for these important milestones in their journey of faith.

Children after receiving their certificates with Fr Steve

Confirmation Group 2016 on steps of  St Peter's Cathedral, Lancaster

First Holy Communion

Today ten of our young people received Jesus for the first time as they received their first Holy Communion.  

Fr Steve and Deacon Jim join the children who made their first Holy Communion 

Fr Steve in his homily reminded the children that they would always have a friend in Jesus who would be there for them throughout their life.  He thanked the parents and families who had brought their children for Baptism and continued to support them on their journey in faith.  
After Mass, Miss Hannah, headteacher from Cathedral primary school came to congratulate the children in the sacristy.

Miss Hannah and Children who made their first Holy Communion

There will be a celebration mass at St Thomas More on Tuesday 5th July at 6.30pm, where the children will receive their certificates, parishioners are welcome to attend.

Preparing ... adults learning about the Cathedral

Father Andrew talking about the Triptych

The parish preparation programme 'My Lord and My God' involves sessions for adults as well as children.  In some ways, these adult sessions are more important, because it is the adults - parents, grandparents, wider family - who play the important role of bringing up their children in faith with a love for the Lord.  During one of the adult sessions we look round the Cathedral and learn more about the building and its symbolism so that we can grow in our understanding and in turn share with the children.

Preparing ... reverence

The children have been thinking about how they can be more reverent when they go forward to receive Jesus in Holy Communion and as they walk around in God's house.  

Children practicing to walk reverently

During one of the adult sessions we watched a video reminding us about how we receive Jesus in Holy Communion.  Whether we receive Jesus on the tongue or in the hand, we need to remember to be reverent and remember that it is the Body of Christ, or the Blood of Christ we are receiving.  When these words are spoken to us, we say Amen.  We remind the children that they need to say Amen clearly so that the priest or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion can hear us.  

Getting ready for Holy Communion

Children and their families have been preparing to receive Jesus in their first Holy Communion.  Over the coming week we'll be sharing with you some of their journey.

Here the children are leading a reflection on the Sign of the Cross, where we remember the three persons in one God.  We say this prayer at the start of every Mass and are reminded of how we are baptised:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

When you say the sign of the cross this week, please remember the children in your prayers.

Forty Hours ... come and spend time with the Lord

The peace and quiet of the Cathedral, where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration.  
At the centre of the altar, at the centre of our lives - Jesus, who in Sunday's gospel, has his feet washed by the tears of a woman who wipes them dry with her hair before covering them in perfume.  How can we welcome Jesus and show our love for Him? 

For those not able to visit the Cathedral this weekend, we post a video made a few years ago which shows something of the peace and quiet of Lancaster Cathedral.

Exposition of Blessed Sacrament

Cross at top of Monstrance

This weekend there will be an opportunity for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  This is an ideal chance for us to come and spend time in prayer with the Lord.  In the silence of our hearts we can bring our hopes, fears, joys, sadness, we can bring ourselves ... 

O Sacrament, most holy,

O Sacrament divine,

All praise and all thanksgiving

Be every moment Thine. Amen

The Blessed Sacrament will be shown in a Monstrance, to read more about what this is, look at our Year of Faith blog - Monstrance