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.
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!
Tonight we gathered for the first of three linked services that together form the Holy Triduum. We listened to John's Gospel of the Last Supper where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as an example of service. Our Bishop washed the feet of parishioners including some of our confirmandi (who will get confirmed on Pentecost Sunday) and other parishioners who serve the parish in a variety of ways as readers, catechists, servers as well as in the local community.
The Bishop washes the feet of 12 parishioners as a sign of service.
The Mass of the Lord's Supper is when the Church commemorates the institution of the Eucharist and the ministerial priesthood.
Solemn procession with Blessed Sacrament to the Lady Chapel for a time of prayer
At the end of Mass we processed to place the host in the tabernacle in the Lady Chapel for a time of watch and praying with the Lord. We left in silence to return tomorrow for the Good Friday Service.
Today priests, deacons, religious and the laity of the diocese gathered together with the Bishop to celebrate the Chrism Mass.
Short 2 minute video from Chrism Mass 2025
At this Mass the Bishop blesses the Holy Oils for use during the coming year. Whenever the Holy Oils are used in any parish in the diocese, the ministry of the Bishop who consecrated them is symbolically present. At the end of Mass the priests take back Holy Oils to their own parishes which they will use in the sacraments in the year ahead.
The Chrism Mass reminds us of our oneness in Christ through Baptism and its holy anointing, may possibly by the ministry of the Bishop and his priests and deacons.
During today's Mass the priests will renew their vow of obedience to our Diocesan Bishop Paul Swarbrick and their commitment to serve God's people.
Today we gathered outside Cathedral House for the opening Gospel reading and blessing of palms. We then processed into the Cathedral to listen to the Passion according to St Luke.
Bishop blessing palms with Holy Water
We process waving palms and singing Hosanna
Our children came for their own preparation where we sang Hosanna, waved palms. In Luke's account of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem the crowd through cloaks as Jesus passed by, we did the same, however, our Jesus didn't ride on a donkey!
We then went through the events of Holy Week. To help the children get a sense of the passing of each day, we all went to sleep and were awoken by a cockerel, which we will be talking about on Friday when we remember Peter's denial of Jesus and journey with Jesus as we pray the stations of the cross.
Children sleeping after hearing about what Jesus did during the start of Holy Week.
We then went to a room prepared for the 'Last Supper' and talked about how Jesus washed the feet of the disciples as an example of service, the children shared ways they could help serve other people. Next we listened to the words of the Last Supper and how some of the children will be receiving their First Holy Communion in June.
Children watched as we washed feet as a reminder of Jesus' example of service
Drying the feet with great care
The children then shared what they could do to serve other people.
Helping their mums
Tidying up
Looking out for someone who is lonely at school
Collecting hymn books after Mass
We talked about the unleavened bread Jesus had at the Last Supper
We then listened to a song of reflection reminding us of the words Jesus said and talked about when we hear those words in Mass.
And so we begin with Holy Week. Why not watch what happened at the Cathedral in 2019 and come and join us this week as we celebrate 2025. Come and join us tomorrow Palm Sunday where we will process carrying palms and singing Hosanna.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Holy Week, which for Christians is the most important week of the year, gives us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the central events of the Redemption, to relive the Paschal Mystery, the great Mystery of faith. ...
At the Chrism Mass, which the Bishop celebrates with his priests in the morning, and during which the priestly promises pronounced on the day of Ordination are renewed.
At the Mass of the Lord's Supper the Church commemorates the institution of the Eucharist, the ministerial priesthood and the new Commandment of love that Jesus entrusted to his disciples. ...
And so we come to Good Friday, the day of the Passion and the Crucifixion of the Lord. Every year, standing in silence before Jesus hanging on the wood of the Cross, we feel how full of love the words were that he spoke on the previous evening during the Last Supper. "This is my blood, of the covenant, which is poured out for many" (Mk 14: 24) ...
The recollection and silence of Holy Saturday will usher us into the night of the solemn Easter Vigil, "mother of all vigils", when the hymn of joy in Christ's Resurrection will burst forth in all the churches and communities. Once again the victory of light over darkness, of life over death will be proclaimed and the Church will rejoice in the encounter with her Lord. Thus we shall enter into the atmosphere of Easter.
Let us prepare to live the Holy Triduum intensely, in order to share ever more deeply in the Mystery of Christ. We are accompanied in this itinerary by the Blessed Virgin who silently followed her Son Jesus to Calvary, taking part with deep sorrow in his sacrifice and thus cooperating in the mystery of the Redemption and becoming Mother of all believers (cf. Jn 19: 25-27). Together with her we shall enter the Upper Room, we shall remain at the foot of the Cross, we shall watch in spirit beside the dead Christ, waiting with hope for the dawn of the radiant day of the Resurrection.
_FXD.jpg/500px-Portrait_of_Pope_Francis_(2021)_FXD.jpg "Pope Francis")
