Canon Anthony O’Brien – Cathedral Dean

 

Each year I look forward to a quieter month throughout August, but the reality never seems to materialise – here’s hoping this year.  Other than visiting choirs, lots of visitors and a month of nurses training in the Gibberd Room there is very little else in the diary at present.  Even the Solemnity of the Assumption this year will be celebrated on the Sunday 14th August, transferred from the actual date which is on a Monday.  But behind the scenes we will be busy planning ahead for the visit of the Relics of St Bernadette that will be with us from Saturday 17 September to Tuesday 20 September.  Here is a breakdown of the full programme for the visit which begins at St Mary’s, Chorley and takes in Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral before coming to us.
 

St Mary’s, Chorley
Thursday 15 September
8.30 pm           Arrival, welcome ceremony and Night Prayer

Friday 16 September
7.30 am            Morning Prayer
9.00 am            Private Mass for St Mary’s RC Catholic Primary school
10.00 am          Church opens
11.00 am           Rosary and Litany to St Bernadette
12.00 noon       Mass
2.00 pm            Rosary and Litany to St Bernadette
3.00 pm            Mass
5.00 pm            Rosary and Litany to St Bernadette
7.00 pm            Mass and Candlelight Procession
                        Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP
9.45 pm            Night Prayer
 

Saturday 17 September
7.30 am            Morning Prayer
8.00 am            Mass of Farewell    
9.00 am            Departure for Liverpool Anglican Cathedral

Liverpool Cathedral
Saturday 17 September
                       Arrival and Service of Welcome
                       Private Prayer throughout the morning
2.30 pm           Service of Farewell
                       Departure for the Metropolitan Cathedral

Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King
Saturday 17 September
 

3.30 pm            Arrival and Service of Welcome
3.00 pm to 5.00 pm       Confessions
5.00 pm           Mass in the Cathedral
                       Time for private prayer and reflection.
7.30 pm           Torchlight procession outside the Cathedral
10.00 pm         Cathedral closes.

Sunday 18 September
8.00 am            Cathedral opens
9.00 am            Mass
10.00 am          Mass (Crypt Chapel)
11.00 am          Solemn Mass
                        Celebrant: Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP
3.00 pm            Mass with the Anointing of the Sick
7.00 pm            Mass
9.00 pm            Cathedral closes
 

Monday 19 September
7.00 am            Cathedral opens
7.30 am            Morning Prayer
8.00 am            Mass
10.00 am to 12.00 noon     Confessions
12.15 pm            Mass
2.00 pm to 4.00 pm     Confessions
5.00 pm to 6.30 pm     Confessions
7.00 pm            Closing Mass in the Cathedral
                         Followed by Rosary and Night Prayer
10.00 pm          Cathedral closes
Throughout the day schools will be invited to attend.
There will be an opportunity for private prayer throughout the day.
There will be Reflections at 10.00 am, 11.00 am, 2.00 pm, 3.00 pm and 4.00 pm

Tuesday 20 September
6.30 am            Cathedral opens
7.00 am            Service of Departure
Further information on the national relic tour can be found at www.stbernadette.org.uk