Westminster Mass for Healing

13th February, 2010

It may be the half-term break, but this does mean that everything stops.  Fourteen of our singers joined a Westminster diocesan choir today under the direction of Mr. Marseglia at Westminster Cathedral for a liturgy based on the international style of Lourdes.  The rousing Mass settings were by resident Lourdes musician Jean-Paul Lécot.

As reported by the BBC, Archbishop Vincent Nichols spoke about the NHS and assisted suicide in his homily.  The Archbishop, together with Bishops Alan Hopes and John Arnold led fellow priests in the anointing of the sick and dying.  During this emotionally charged time, hauntingly powerful solos were sung by Joshua Malone, Luisa Beeken and Natasha Msanide.  They could be clearly heard during the BBC News report of Saturday evening.

The cathedral itself was packed full. It was a most powerful and uplifting occasion, not least because of the very visible example presented by the sick and dying pilgrims of Westminster.  Our prayers now extend to the group of Year 10 students preparing to serve in Lourdes during the May half-term.