Over 800 Attend Historic Mass in Canterbury Cathedral to Celebrate St. Thomas Becket
To have such a historic Mass celebrated in the mother church of England was ‘very impressive, very moving,' said a London priest. 'We must pray a lot for the conversion of England...’
CANTERBURY, England — Catholic faithful packed Canterbury Cathedral on Monday evening for a historic Mass, complete with a papal blessing and the Eucharistic liturgy celebrated by the apostolic nuncio to honour St. Thomas Becket and the translation of his relics in 1220.
Since at least the late 20th century, the Cathedral’s Anglican leaders have allowed the local Catholic parish of St. Thomas of Canterbury to celebrate the translation (transferal) of the relics every July 7 with a Mass at the high altar.
But this year’s Mass was considerably different: Celebrated to mark the Jubilee of Hope, it had the presence of the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia, and a world-class choir, turning it into a grand spectacle with historical significance.
Filled to overflowing with Catholic priests, dignitaries and pilgrims, and even the Vatican cricket team on tour in England, many pilgrims had to sit outside the quire in the cathedral’s side transepts due to the large attendance.
According to the organizers, around 800 worshipers were at the Mass, making it the “best-attended Mass in Canterbury Cathedral since the Deformation,” the Catholic peer, Lord Monckton of Brenchley, told the Register.
The last previous historic celebration of the translation… Read more at NCRegister.com
This is incredible. From Thomas Beckett’s murder by Henry II inside Canterbury, to the utter destruction of the Cathedral by Henry VIII. Mass here a first since Archbishop of Canterbury Reginald Pole in 1500s and then Cardinal Pell in our time (some would say he was murdered too). This at a place where disco desecrations were held recently. You cannot make this stuff up. Pray for the conversion of the Church of England.
Its our Cathedral not the “Anglican’s”