News

A very big thank you to everyone who supported the Big Give campaign to raise funds towards the cost of replacing the sanctuary floodlighting in the Cathedral. With your generosity we were able to meet the target and raised £30,050 in online donations plus £30,000 of matched funding giving £60,050 before Gift Aid. With Gift Aid on the online donations and on some of the matched funding the total after charges comes to £70,167.13. Thank you again for your support and generosity. If you would like to give further contributions towards the cost of replacement of the lights in our Cathedral, please go to: https://westminstercathedral.org.uk/support-us/make-a-gift/

The Bishops of England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland write:

‘In the face of the shocking loss of life, bloodshed, displacement of people and destruction of property in Ukraine, we make these heartfelt appeals.

We ask our Catholic communities to sustain the prayer and self-denial of Lent as a constant offering to God, begging for an end to this pointless violence.

We ask our fellow Christians everywhere, including Patriarch Kirill and all in the Russian Orthodox Church, to join in solidarity with us in daily spiritual and practical efforts for a ceasefire, for humanitarian outreach and the silencing and laying down of weapons. 

We ask all who have an instinct for God to raise their hearts and minds in prayer for peace.

We urge everyone to open their hearts and respond generously to the many appeals for help and support for all who are fleeing their homeland.  We call on the UK and Irish governments to offer an open and generous welcome to those who seek refuge in the face of this warfare.’

Here in the Cathedral you can offer support through a donation in the designated Ukrainian Appeal box near the main doors. Alternatively, support can be given via this link: https://cafod.org.uk/Give/Donate-to-Emergencies/Ukraine-Humanitarian-Appeal , with assistance going directly to Caritas Ukraine and Caritas Poland.

At his Sunday Angelus address Pope Francis said:

The Holy See is ready to do everything, to put itself at the service of this peace. In these days, two Cardinals went to Ukraine, to serve the people, to help. Cardinal Krajewski, the Almoner, to bring aid to the needy, and Cardinal Czerny, interim Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. The presence of the two Cardinals there is the presence not only of the Pope, but of all the Christian people who want to get closer and say: “War is madness! Stop, please! Look at this cruelty!” “

After every Mass we will pray for peace, and put the people of Ukraine under the mantle of Our Lady by reciting the Memoráre:  

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen

This year, we celebrate 10 years of Caritas Westminster, the social action agency of the Diocese, working with parishes to enable people to lead a life of dignity.  Funds raised in this year’s Cardinal’s Lenten Appeal will be shared between parishes and Caritas Westminster.  Price rises mean many families face an impossible choice: HEAT or EAT?  The Church is responding, with thousands of people putting their faith into action by serving those in need.  Cardinal Nichols has expressed his gratitude to everyone who supports the Appeal, with whatever they can afford.  Just as a mosaic is made up of many different coloured pieces, each one unique, each person’s contribution to this mosaic of hope will bring light into the lives of people across our Diocese.  Please take a donation envelope.  You can use the QR code to make your donation online.  Thank you for your generosity

Welcome to our new website. It is packed with interactive features so parishioners and visitors alike may experience our beautiful Cathedral online and engage with our activities, liturgies, groups and organisations. It is now possible for all to become part of the Cathedral family by joining groups, applying to volunteer, lighting candles and making donations – all online. Or simply explore this uniquely beautiful building through our Virtual Tour featuring videos and a 3D experience.

We are grateful to The Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage whose major grant made this website project possible and to The Society of Friends of Westminster Cathedral for supplementary funding. The new site is highly visual, and incorporates many beautiful images to inspire and encourage visitors to experience this sacred space in person.

Alongside our schedule of Confessions, Masses and other liturgies, the website features a series of short videos, of two to three minutes each, which introduce the main highlights of the history, architecture and decoration of the Cathedral. Each one incorporates the music of our world-famous choir.

To experience how it feels to stand in the Cathedral and view the mosaics close up, why not take our 3D tour? Transport yourself digitally into any chapel, up into the choir apse or the organ loft or fly up to the Tower viewing gallery to enjoy the permanently sunny (!) views. Explore the Crypt and the Sacristy – they’re not normally open to the public. By exploring the upper galleries, you can even find the Cathedral’s store of tesserae, the small marble or glass pieces that are used to create stunning mosaics.

Have you ever needed to light a candle in the Cathedral but were unable to come here in person? Through the new website you can request that a real candle be lit for you at the chapel or shrine of your choice. You can also arrange to sponsor one of our sanctuary lamps for the intention of your choice or make a donation.

Joining the parish register, a Cathedral group or the Friends can now all be done simply online, as well as volunteering for parish work, the St John Southworth Guild or applying to become an altar server.

Our website features useful devotional guides for taking part in our daily livestreamed Masses as well as other regular Cathedral devotions such as the Angelus, the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross, which take place publicly on Friday evenings during Lent.

The Cathedral is grateful to all those who have worked hard to bring this project to launch point. They include volunteers, clergy, Cathedral staff and, in particular, Oink Creative Ltd. our web designers and developers, Ian Copestake our video maker and Weston Media Ltd. who created the 3D Map and aerial photography.

We very much hope you enjoy using our new site and we’d be delighted if you would like to share it with your friends, using the social media links on this page.

Explore Our New Site:

• Watch our documentary mini-series
• Take our 3D Tour
• Light a candle in Westminster Cathedral

On Fridays during the Lenten season we continue the Cathedral tradition of praying the Stations of the Cross together after the 5.30pm Solemn Mass, starting at about 6.15pm. The Stations prayed are the well-loved compositions of St Alphonsus Liguori, and copies will be available for all who attend – please join us as part of your Lenten prayer.