Mass Celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio

We had a wonderful and uplifting celebration of the Mass on the Feast of the Translation last Monday, presided over by His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia, the Apostolic Nuncio. Little did I know, when he kindly accepted my invitation to come and preside at this year’s Mass, that it would grow into the event that it did.

Before the final blessing at the end of Mass, the following message from Pope Leo XIV was read out:

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, informed of the Solemn Mass in celebration of the Feast of the Translation of the Relics of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral on 7th July 2025, sends a fraternal salutation and his greetings of good wishes to all the pilgrims. In this Jubilee Year, His Holiness prays that they may truly be “Pilgrims of Hope” and assures all the participants of his spiritual closeness as they offer their devotion to St Thomas of Canterbury in the place of his martyrdom. The Holy Father cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing to those participating in this pilgrimage and, through the intercession of the Mother of God, invokes upon all of them an abundance of Divine graces.

There were over 700 people in the congregation and over fifty priests concelebrating, including the Vatican’s cricket team which consists of priests and seminarians. Joining the spectacular procession at the start of the Mass was the auxiliary Bishop of Southwark, the Rt. Rev Paul Hendricks, members of the Ordinariate and the Papal Knights and Dames from the Orders of St Gregory the Great, Holy Sepulchre and Saint Sylvester. In addition, there were members of the Knights of Malta and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

I want to thank all those who made this celebration possible, especially Elizabeth Forrester, the team of volunteers from our Parish, and the Catholic students from Kent University, who, as well as serving and reading at the Mass, acted as welcomers and stewards, both for the Mass and for the refreshments in the Chapter house after Mass.

It was important that the link was made between this celebration and our Parish church being a Jubilee Shrine, where you can receive the plenary indulgence for the Jubilee year.

The Papal Nuncio in his homily said,

‘This Mass of pilgrimage takes place within the context of the Jubilee Year. It highlights the Christian life as a spiritual journey, moving through life’s trials and joys with hope anchored in Christ. Having travelled as pilgrims today, we do more than just honour a figure from history. The stained-glass windows all around us illustrate the many miracles attributed to St Thomas in the medieval period. This should be a living story too. Our world, today as then, is in need of hope. We come in this Jubilee Year as “Pilgrims of Hope” to be inspired by St Thomas’ holiness and his courageous witness to Christ and His Church. We join our prayers with those of so many who have gone before us down the centuries.’

Let us pray to our patron, St Thomas of Canterbury, as pilgrims in need of hope and healing, and ask Our Blessed Mother, Queen of Martyrs, to intercede for us – that we might be faithful witnesses to Christ, growing each day in love of Him and each other.