Ash Wednesday in 2 minutes

Tomorrow we celebrate Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of season of Lent.  Lent is the time we remember Jesus' passion and a time of preparation for Jesus' resurrection at Easter.  During Lent we are called to: 

• pray - talk to and listen to God
• fast - give up something to remind us that Jesus gave his life for us
• give alms - which can involve giving money or doing something for those in need

The following video reminds us of why we have ash placed on our foreheads and explains the importance of praying, fasting and alms giving on Ash Wednesday and throughout the whole of Lent.

During Lent we will be featuring 40 second messages about Lent.  if you'd like to share what you are doing or say something about your experience of Lent then let us know by using the contact form and we will make arrangements to record your 40 second message.

A treasure to be valued ...

As well as international visitors to our blog, today two Religious Sisters of Mercy from Alma, Michegan in America attended 10.30 mass.  They took the opportunity to look around the Cathedral before heading off to find the martyrs stone on East Road. (For parishioners, a trip down memory lane, or up the hill of East Road! Some images of the parish walk to the martyrs stone in 2009 click here)  
Our visitors spoke about the Cathedral as "stunning and beautiful" and said, what they noticed, in comparison with their own church, was the "rich heritage of the martyrs, a treasure to be valued".  They were pleased to hear that our Confirmation candidates, who were enrolled in our Confirmation programme St Peter's Way, will be introduced to the lives of the martyrs and the Communion of Saints.

Sr Edith Mary and Sr Mary Christine: Religious Sisters of Mercy

For more information about the Religious Sisters of Mercy and learn more about their Charism and vocation see their website
Visiting the Cathedral
There are many people who visit the Cathedral and value it as a place of prayer, leaving comments about the peace and sense of God they experience as well as requests for prayer.  Maybe during Lent you could bring someone to visit and see for themselves our 'stunning and beautiful' place of worship. 

Getting ready for Lent

Tuesday  marks the start of our new series Curious talks about Penance 
Penance and pancakes! 

An overview of penance in Catholic faith - given by Canon Stephen

7.30 to 9.00pm in St Walburge's Chapel, off Balmoral Road.

Choristers outside Salisbury Cathedral tossing pancakes

Shrove Tuesday the eve before Ash Wednesday is traditionally the time when pancakes are made using up ingredients from the cupboard in readiness for Lent.  There will be an opportunity for pancakes in the Cathedral Library after the talk Penance and Pancakes, although there are no plans to have our choristers or servers tossing pancakes!

Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence and marks the beginning of Lent which is a time of preparation for the great feast of Easter.  More about this in the weeks ahead.  For Mass times see Cathedral Diary

Lent is a time of repentance when we are called to pray, fast and give alms.  Before the season begins it can be helpful to think about what you will do this Lent.   

Enrolment on Confirmation Programme

Follow Me

Confirmation Preparation Programme
Sunday is the last Sunday of ordinary time before we start the season of Lent and when some of our young people will enrol in our Confirmation programme - St Peter's Way.  Please remember them in your prayers as they enrol on the programme to learn more about their faith and use this time to consider how they will live out their vocation as fully initiated members of the Church. 

My Lord and My God

Sacramental Preparation of Reconciliation and Holy Communion

On Tuesday we have the first meeting for parents and carers who are interested in enrolling their child for the Holy Communion programme.  At Tuesday's meeting Me, My Family, God's Family and the Good News we will be looking at our image of God, sharing Bible stories with children and thinking about how we can bring prayer into our everyday life and experiences.

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

Banner of Our Lady of  Lourdes

Today we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes who is the patron of the Diocese of Lancaster. The banner hangs at the back of the Cathedral alongside the Bishop's motto and a banner for our other Diocesan patron.  

 Who is the other diocesan patron? You'll see his banner at the back of the Cathedral.

For those who have not been to Lourdes you may find the link to the Lourdes 24 hour TV link a fascinating connection with the many pilgrims visiting Lourdes.  There is live coverage of the services and archives of the rosary for the past week. Click link

Screen capture of webcam at Lourdes
on Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

Prayer Vigil: Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes

Tonight, on the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Bishop Campbell led the diocese in prayer for vocations.  
The Bishop spoke about those present being on a local pilgrimage in which we remembered the sick and those who care for them.  The procession around the cathedral of a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes and the diocesan banner featuring the two diocesan patrons reminded us of the pilgrims in Lourdes.  As we sang that famous Lourdes hymn 'Immaculate Mary' it no doubt reminded those who have been to Lourdes of their own pilgrimage.  
For a link to 'Immaculate Mary' but listen carefully as the version differs slightly to the one which we sing in church.



Attending the service was John Millar, who is to be ordained tomorrow and parishioners Sarah and Alf who will be married tomorrow at the Cathedral.  More of their celebrations in the coming week.  We remember all three as they make these important steps in their journey of faith and follow God's call (vocation) to follow him.  

Candlemas - Canticle of Simeon

Last night, at the start of our mass our candles were blessed and we processed around the cathedral.  We listened to the Gospel of Luke 2: 22-40 which was enacted by pupils of the Cathedral primary school.  The Gospel describes how Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to God in the temple at Jerusalem.  We heard how Simeon gave thanks and praised God saying what we now know as the Canticle of Simeon.  The Latin name for this great canticle (song of praise) is the Nunc Dimittis and it is said or sung everyday during night prayer.

Candlemas, 2nd February also marks 40 days since Jesus' birth, before the changes to the liturgical calendar in the seventies it was the traditional end of the Christmas season.  The presentation at the temple is also remembered as the 4th joyful mystery in the rosary.