National Eucharistic Congress
On Saturday, 14 September, we will come together at St Mary’s College, Oscott, to kneel before the Lord in Adoration for our first National Eucharistic Congress since Adoremus in Liverpool in 2018.
This will be a more modest event, yet all our dioceses will be represented, and we will celebrate the beauty of Our Lord in the Eucharist through Mass, Lectures, a Eucharistic Procession and more.
The following day, on Sunday, 15 September, the bishops asked for parishes, at the end of their final Mass on that day, to have a period of Adoration in their churches.
Canon Christopher Thomas, General Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference, explains further.
“The International Eucharistic Congress is going to be held in Quito in Ecuador. Now, normally what the Holy See asks, through its office for International Eucharistic Congresses, is that on the years between the international congresses that we have a National Eucharistic Congress. But because of the pandemic, we’ve decided to have a Eucharistic Congress this year at the same time, which will then lead, hopefully, to other Eucharistic Congresses in the future. We had Adoremus in Liverpool in 2018, which was fantastic. Adoremus in Oscott is going to be on a smaller scale, but it’s going to be built on. We’re doing something that’s modest, but because it’s modest doesn’t mean it’s not going to be effective or fruitful.
“We’re looking at having a community of just over 1,000 gathered at Oscott, and there will be some plenary lectures about the beauty of the Eucharist.
“We will have a celebration of Mass, and then there’ll be a Eucharistic Procession around the grounds of Oscott. This is important because it was the first place after the Reformation that a Eucharistic Procession was held. We’ll gather for a period of silent prayer in front of the Lord before we are blessed, and then dismissed. So the pilgrimage ends, but the pilgrimage continues as we dismissed to every part of the country.
“The idea is that we begin again, but provide something that can be built on.”
Adoration in our Parishes
“Our National Eucharistic Congress will take place on the 14 September. The following day, on Sunday, 15 September, all of the bishops are going to ask parishes, at the end of their final Mass on that day, to have a period of Adoration in their churches, which will link us all in England and Wales in prayer in front of the Lord – that’s a very powerful sign.
St George's Cathedral Fund
St George’s Cathedral Second Collection 28th April
For over half a century, St George’s Cathedral has been the Mother Church of the Archdiocese of Southwark,
home to 175 parishes and over 50,000 Roman Catholics.
For many Catholics living and working across London and the South East of England,
St George’s has been a beacon of light.
Today, St George’s Cathedral continues to attract thousands of worshippers and visitors each year,
as well as serving a lively local parish community
which proudly reflects the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of South London.
The Cathedral frequently hosts important Diocesan and national celebrations,
as well as concerts and events for various Catholic charities.
There is a rich musical tradition,
maintaining a choir of boys and men, as well as a girls’ choir, both of which sing on Sunday Masses and on major feasts.
In many respects, St George’s Cathedral serves as a spiritual home and ‘beehive’
for Catholic evangelisation and mission across the Archdiocese of Southwark.
St George’s Cathedral relies entirely on the generosity of
its parishioners, volunteers and the Archdiocese of Southwark to keep its doors open.
It does not receive Vatican or government funding, nor does it have an endowment to rely on.
Your support can enable the Cathedral to remain open daily
to those seeking a place of peace, prayer and worship.
Thank you!
• Donate Online: www.rcaos.org.uk/Cathedral
• Or Scan QR Code using telephone camera (right)
• Telephone weekdays 9 am – 5 pm: 020 7960 2504
• Cash / Cheque – please use the St George’s Cathedral
envelopes at the back of church
Further information
A Day With Mary 2024 Pilgrimages to Fatima (7-14 June)
and Italy (4-12 September) is available at
www.adaywithmary.org or email adwmary.uk@gmail.com
Augustine Pilgrimage Route in Kent
Augustine Camino
The Augustine Camino is a relatively new pilgrimage route within the Diocese of Southwark, running between Rochester Cathedral and The Augustine Shrine in Ramsgate. Their Founder, Andrew Kelly, will be offering a number of one
day guided tours this Summer and a FREE one day pilgrimage is offered on 8th June from 8.30 am - 5.30 pm between Faversham and Canterbury Cathedral, ending with a Pilgrimage Service within the Cathedral. For further information and a Narthex
poster, click here.
Although we all enjoy
the idea of going on pilgrimage abroad, for many it is not practical for a variety of reasons, such as finances, family or limited health. The Augustine Camino is a practical way forward in order enjoy to enjoy the benefits of taking time out to
reflect and pray without being too far from home or spending a large amount of money.
The overall Pilgrimage is 70 miles in total and can be reasonably walked in one week (or more, if preferred!). It aims to take in the beautiful Kent
countryside as well as places of history and heritage en route, including relics of St Thomas More, a number of churches, including some stunning stained glass windows, and a chance to explore affiliations to a number of saints, not least of which
is St Augustine, who is considered Apostle to England, founder of the English Church and one of our three diocesan patrons. There will also be a chance to stop off for a good pub lunch and spend time talking and praying together.
For those
wishing to embark on more than a one-day pilgrimage, baggage transfer is available, as is a guidebook and Pilgrim Passport which you can get stamped along the route.
To find out more about the Camino visit: http://augustinecamino.co.uk/
To hear a recent interview of Andrew Kelly on Radio 4, on the subject of why people go on pilgrimage' click here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00051bf
The Friars at Aylesford
You will find a comprehensive list of pilgrimages and events at Aylesford during the year. Consult the Friars website at http://www.thefriars.org.uk/
