St. George

St. Georges Day, Patron Saint of England was this year marked by a very special Mass in Leeds Cathedral. The principal celebrant was HE, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster and president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England & Wales.

The Cardinal was joined by all the Bishops' of England and Wales who are currently in Leeds for plenary session of the Bishops' Conference. The Mass was offered for the intentions of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, who recently celebrated his 80th Birthday.

The universality of the Roman Catholic church was acknowledged in the introit sung by the choir: Duruflé's setting of 'Tu es Petrus' - You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church. Following this, the choir, servers, concelebrating priests and bishops all processed into the Cathedral singing a 8 verses of the great Hymn 'For all the Saints.' The Mass was sung to Victoria's 'Missa O Quam Gloriosam,' with motets by Viadana and Colin Mawby. The service concluded with the rousing singing of the acclamations 'Christus Vincit!'

For a slideshow of pictures from the Mass, click here.