Regulars

Canon Christopher Writes

During the next few weeks we will be hearing much more on the topic of England as Mary’s Dowry. This title, promoted by King Richard II in 1381, signified the important place that Our Lady held in the devotion and prayer life of the people of this land. For a three-day period in March, the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham will come to us at the Cathedral and will be a focus of our devotion and renewal. Then, eight days later on Sunday 29 March, the Cardinal will lead us in a National Day when we are invited to make an Act of Rededication of this country as Our Lady’s Dowry through the faith which we profess.

When visiting a Catholic country one is very conscious of the many visible signs of faith, be they crucifixes, statues, icons or wayside shrines, and it is with sadness that one reflects that this was once true of our own country before the religious upheavals of the 16th century, which saw their mass destruction. Happily, in recent years, we have seen the restoration of a number of the principal shrines, especially those in Anglican cathedrals.

In the little village of Cley-next-the-Sea in north Norfolk, there is an old stone bridge dating back to the 14th century. In the middle of the bridge there is a stone platform on which once stood a wayside shrine to Our Lady; and as the bridge marked the point between harbour and estuary, many prayers for protection would be offered by those going out to sea, and acts of thanksgiving for those returning, not to mention the prayers of those crossing the bridge. How wonderful if one day that empty platform could once again support an image of Our Lady.

Before our Marian devotions, however, we have the opportunity to listen quietly to the voice of the Lord at the beginning of the month when we shall keep our annual Quarant’Ore devotion. The usual schedule of Masses will continue, but the College of Chaplains will be celebrating the hours of the Divine Office publicly and Cathedral groups will also lead devotions at various times. Do call in to spend time with the Lord when you can; and the Cathedral will remain open throughout the nights of Tuesday and Wednesday 3/4 March for those who may be able to keep vigil. May the Quarant’Ore be for us a time of a deep encounter with Christ’s love displayed in the Eucharist.

With every blessing for a fruitful and prayerful Lent

Westminster Cathedral Cathedral Clergy House 42 Francis Street London SW1P 1QW Telephone 020 7798 9055 Service times 020 7798 9097 Email chreception@rcdow.org.uk www.westminstercathedral.org.uk Cathedral Chaplains Canon Christopher Tuckwell, Administrator Fr Daniel Humphreys, Sub-Administrator Fr Julio Albornoz Fr Michael Donaghy Fr Andrew Gallagher, Precentor Fr Hugh MacKenzie Fr Vincent Mbu’i SVD Fr Rajiv Michael Fr John Scott, Registrar Sub-Administrator’s Assistant James Coeur-de-Lion Also in residence Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Victories Music Department Awaiting appointment, Master of Music Peter Stevens Obl. OSB, Assistant Master of Music Callum Alger, Organ Scholar Cathedral Manager Peter McNulty Estates Manager Neil Fairbairn Chapel of Ease Sacred Heart Church Horseferry Road SW1P 2EF