Today is the Feast of the Dedication of the Cathedral. The Feast of the Dedication of the Cathedral is celebrated each year on 1 July.
Westminster Cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales. The site on which the cathedral stands in the City of Westminster was purchased by the Diocese of Westminster in 1885, and construction completed in 1903.
In 1895, Westminster Cathedral was dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
The word “cathedral” derives from the Greek word “kathedra,” meaning “chair.” The chair of the diocesan bishop is the seat from which he guides the life of the Church in a particular geographical region known as a diocese. This chair is a symbol of his authority to teach, sanctify and govern the people of Christ. The church in which this chair is housed is consequently known as a cathedral church — the bishop’s own parish church.
Bishop Nicholas Hudson was ordained Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Westminster on 4 June 2014. Click here to see details of when he visited our school!
The cathedral church is a symbol of the unity of the local Church, and its dedication ought to be celebrated throughout the diocese.
Consecration sconce, one of twelve installed around the interior and lit on the Feast of the Dedication of the Cathedral, 1 July, each year.
The annual observance of the dedication of a church celebrates the mystery of the living Church, that is, the people of God in pilgrimage to the new Jerusalem. Although the faithful of the entire diocese cannot come together to celebrate the Eucharist with the bishop, we hope you will find the following resources useful to share with your families:
Catholic Places of worship activities
The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus has been central to our prayer this month. This image of Jesus points to the personal, deep love that God has for each one of us. It is the God of the love described in 1 Corinthians 13. It is the compassion and longing of the Father waiting for his Prodigal Son to return. It is the tenderness and the selflessness with which Jesus responded to all those who encountered him.
At a time when our lives have been abruptly interrupted by a pandemic with immeasurable impact, when we struggle against intolerable racism, when we learn of tragic acts of terrorism, God’s sincere love for each one of us is a much needed message of hope and of light. Our God is not untouched by the events of our lives. He is a God who knows us intimately and loves us anyway. Despite the trials we face, our faith is one of hope and of resurrection and of perfect love, encapsulated in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
We are, as ever, incredibly grateful to our St Vincent’s families and staff for all you do within your communities to remind children and young people that they are precious and loved.
O most holy Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing,
I adore you, I love you and I offer you this heart of mine.
Make me humble, patient, pure, and wholly obedient to your will.
Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in you and for you.
Protect me in the midst of danger; comfort me in my afflictions;
give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs,
your blessings on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death.
Within your heart I place my every care.
In every need let me come to you with humble trust saying,
Heart of Jesus, help me.
Amen.