Flyers are now available by the main doors of the Cathedral giving full information about services and times for Holy Week, the Triduum and Easter Octave. These are also marked in the Cathedral Diary here on the website. Note that extended hours for pre-Easter weekday Confessions (11am – 1pm and 4 – 6pm) began on Monday 18 March.

The times of the principal liturgies are as follows:

The Archbishop of Westminster is the celebrant at services marked with *.

Services in bold will be also available via the live-stream from the Cathedral website.

Sunday 24 March PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD

11.30am Cathedral Hall – Blessing of Palms, Procession and Solemn Pontifical Mass

Monday 25 March MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Tuesday 26 March TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

12.00pm Chrism Mass*

Wednesday 27 March WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

4pm Tenebrae, broadcast live on BBC Radio 3

Thursday 28 March MAUNDY THURSDAY

6.00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper*

11.45pm Compline

Friday 29 March GOOD FRIDAY Fast and abstinence

10am Office of Readings

3.00pm The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord*

6.30pm Stations of the Cross

Saturday 30 MARCH HOLY SATURDAY

10am Office of Readings

8.30pm The Easter Vigil*

Sunday 31 March EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION (Clocks go forward one hour)

12 noon Solemn Pontifical Mass *

4pm Solemn Vespers and Benediction

No 7pm Mass

Monday 1 – Friday 5 April

10am Morning Prayer

10.30am Mass

11.30am -12.30pm Confessions

12.30pm Mass

5pm Evening Prayer

5.30pm Mass

It is with great sadness that news was received of the death of Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus since his resignation of the papal office. On Tuesday 24 January, within the Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity, Cardinal Nichols will preside at a celebration of Ecumenical Vespers at 5pm in the Cathedral in memory of the late Pope Emeritus. All are welcome to attend.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace. Amen.

Over-60s are very welcome to attend this party on Thursday 8 December from 2-4 pm in Cathedral Hall. To attend, please complete and return the application form available from Clergy House Reception or the Information Desk in the Cathedral by Friday 2 December. This will help us to work out how many people to expect and to cater for any specific dietary requirements that you may have.

Talk by Alison Weir, Author – 7 pm on Tuesday 22nd November

Venue: Westminster Cathedral Hall (entrance on Ambrosden Avenue)

We are delighted to welcome back Alison Weir for a talk entitled Katherine Parr: The Sixth Wife. Alison is the author of a series of books about the wives of Henry VIII as well as other historical royal women and families. Katherine Parr was, of course, Henry’s sixth wife who survived him. Those members who have heard Alison’s talks about Henry’s other wives, will be eager not to miss her.

Tickets are priced at £10 and are available in advance or on the door. Tickets can be purchased by emailing josephdavidallen@rcdow.org.uk.

Quiz and Fish & Chip Supper – 7 pm on Wednesday 23rd November

Venue: Westminster Cathedral Hall (entrance on Ambrosden Avenue)

Hot on the heels of our October event, we will be holding another of our popular Cathedral Quizzes. Our Cathedral Precentor, Fr Mike Maguire, will lead our quizzing.

For this event, we need to know in advance if you are coming as we need to order the fish and chip suppers in advance. Tickets are £18 and advance booking is essential. Tickets can be purchased by emailing josephdavidallen@rcdow.org.uk.

Calling all book lovers…

The next SVP Book Sale will take place in Cathedral Hall on Sunday 27 November from 10.30 am – 2.30 pm. As always, we are pleased to accept donations of new and fairly new paperbacks – but no hardback fiction please – and of CDs and DVDs. Religious books will be particularly welcome, as will classical music CDs. These can be left at Clergy House in the week before the sale. This date marks the feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and the Daughters of Charity from St Vincent’s convent will be at the book sale to distribute medals.

To find out more about our Parish SVP group click here

Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 December 2022 – 7.30pm (doors open at 6.30pm)

There are still some tickets available for our annual Christmas concerts which celebrate the mystery of Christ’s Incarnation in carols and readings performed by the world-famous Westminster Cathedral Choir, orchestra, and much-loved celebrity readers, on 20 and 21 December at 7.30pm.  We encourage everybody to purchase tickets quickly before this popular event is sold out.  To buy tickets go to:www.ticketmaster.co.uk; and type in Westminster Cathedral when prompted.

‘In short: the performance of the English choir under its new Music Director Simon Johnson was sensational.’ – Die Rheinpfalz – September 2022.

During this time of increased conflict in the world, we invite everyone to join us in prayer for peace, especially for the end of war in Ukraine and for an end to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. We place all our intentions under the mantle of Our Blessed Mother, Queen of Peace.


MEMORÁRE
PRAYER FOR PEACE

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.

Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us.

The Campanile has reopened to the public. Take the lift up to the Viewing Gallery with its breathtaking views of London north, south, east, and west.

A bird’s-eye view of London

The Cathedral’s bell tower, or campanile, can be seen from across the city. Standing 284ft high, it is a reminder of faith at the heart of London. If you visit Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard, look up and you will see the campanile of Westminster Cathedral. Carved stone eagles encircle the apex.

Opening hours are currently restricted to Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 11 am and 3.30 pm and tickets may be purchased in the Cathedral shop.

PRICES:

Adults £6

Family Ticket (2 adults with up to 4 children): £12

Concessions* £3 (* aged 60+ years)

Now that the refurbishment of the kitchen in the Cathedral Hall is complete, tea and coffee (and possibly cake and biscuits) after the 10 am Sunday Mass will resume from this Sunday, 2 October.

It is a wonderful opportunity to get to know fellow parishioners and to be refreshed; everyone is welcome.

On 21 April 1947, on her twenty-first birthday, Princess Elizabeth said, ‘I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.’

Now, seventy-five years later, we are heartbroken in our loss at her death, and so full of admiration for the unfailing way in which she fulfilled that declaration.

Even in my sorrow, shared with so many around the world, I am filled with an immense sense of gratitude for the gift to the world that has been the life of Queen Elizabeth II.

At this time, we pray for the repose of the soul of Her Majesty. We do so with confidence, because the Christian faith marked every day of her life and activity.

In her Millennium Christmas message, she said, ‘To many of us, our beliefs are of fundamental importance. For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.’

This faith, so often and so eloquently proclaimed in her public messages, has been an inspiration to me, and I am sure to many. The wisdom, stability and service which she consistently embodied, often in circumstances of extreme difficulty, are a shining legacy and testament to her faith.

Our prayer is that she is now received into the merciful presence of God, there to be reunited with her beloved Prince Philip. This is the promise of our faith, and our deep consolation.

Queen Elizabeth II will remain, always, a shining light in our history. May she now rest in peace.

We pray for His Majesty the King, as he assumes his new office even as he mourns his mother.

God save the King.

Saturday 3 September to Monday 5 September 2022

The life and legacy of St Bernadette has touched the lives of people across the world.  In September and October this year, the relics of St Bernadette journey on pilgrimage to England, Scotland, and Wales for the very first time.  This very special once in a lifetime event will provide an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the special gifts and charisms of Lourdes, in a church or cathedral near you.

Westminster Cathedral is blessed to welcome the relics from 3-5 September.  All are welcome to join us for this special event to enrich and renew ourselves spiritually. 

We hope and pray that through the intercession of St Bernadette many graces will be given to all who come and venerate her relics, including healing, conversion and the wonderful discovery of vocation.  Come and experience the miracle of Lourdes with us!

To watch a trailer for the UK Tour, click here; to pray in preparation for the Visit weekend, click here.

To plan your visit, please check below for the most up-to-date information.  

VENERATION OF THE RELICS

Saturday 3 September 1pm – Monday 5 September 6am  (No need for advance booking, just please join the queue on the Piazza for entry via the West Doors. Be advised that at peak times, especially before or after liturgies, we expect long queues. Wheelchair access will be available at all times with out the need for queuing.)

For those unable to visit over the weekend, the Cathedral livestream will display the Relics continuously, as a focus of prayer.

PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS 

Veneration will last all through the two days and nights until 6am on Monday 5 September and will take place in the rear section of the Cathedral, which will be sectioned off from the main body of the building.  Please note that, except for wheelchair and emergency access, there will be no direct access from one part of the building to the other.

To venerate the Relics, pilgrims will be invited to join the queue on the Cathedral Piazza. Wheelchair users, accompanied by one helper per person, do not need to queue.  Please make your way directly to the main door (West Door).

When entering the Cathedral, pilgrims will pass by the Baptistry and the Chapel of St Augustine where there will be an opportunity to obtain votive candles to be lit around the Relics.  (Please do not bring your own candles as our votive light stands are not designed to accommodate other candles.)  When the votive light stands become partially full, for safety reasons, stewards will offer to light candles in a safe manner on behalf of pilgrims.  When the votive stands are completely full, the stewards will offer to keep pilgrims’ votive candles and light them at a later hour when space becomes available.  This will be done during the all-night vigil, but the votive candles will definitely be lit in the presence of the relics.

There will be an opportunity for pilgrims to leave petitions and personal intentions to Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernadette, in the box by the Relics.  Petitions should be written at home and brought to the Cathedral.  The intentions will be taken to Lourdes and placed in the Grotto of Our Lady.

There will be very limited seating in the veneration area itself.  This can be used for a short time of prayer by the elderly, infirm and others unable to stand without aid.  Other pilgrims will be welcome to venerate the Relics for a short time while standing.

After venerating, pilgrims should move forward towards the exit, via St Francis’ door, passing the Cathedral Gift Shop (9.00am to 9.00pm) where devotional objects can be purchased together with holy water bottles. 

On leaving the Cathedral, please turn right down Ambrosden Avenue towards the side entrance to the Cathedral, for Mass, private prayer or Confessions, and also to Cathedral Hall, which will be open from 9.00am to 9.00pm.  In Cathedral Hall pilgrims will be able to fill their bottles with Holy Water (bottles should not be larger than 150ml/200ml), purchase religious items and use toilet facilities.

ENTRANCE FOR MASS, PRIVATE PRAYER AND CONFESSIONS

During the visit of the Relics, the entrance and exit for Mass will be by the Ambrosden Avenue door only.  From 4.30pm on Saturday, pilgrims will also be able to access the Cathedral for private prayer between Masses and join the confessional queue through this door.  Confessions will be heard on Saturday from 5pm until 10pm and on Sunday from 2pm until 10pm.

TIMETABLE

SATURDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER

11am Solemn Mass of Welcome (livestreamed)* – with enshrining of the relics (Celebrated by H.E. Cardinal Vincent Nichols)

2.30pm – Service of Anointing of the Sick* (Presided by Bishop John Sherrington) Admission by ticket only. Tickets available from your Parish Priest.

6pm – Vigil Mass of Sunday* (Celebrated by Bishop Nicholas Hudson)

10pm – Night Prayer of the Church (Compline)* followed by an All-night Vigil

SUNDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER

6am, 8am, 7pm – Mass*

9.30am – Sung Mass (livestreamed)* (Celebrated by Bishop Paul McAleenan)

12noon – Solemn Sung Mass* (Celebrated by Bishop Nicholas Hudson, sung by the Choir of Westminster Cathedral)

3pm – Rosary*

4pm – Solemn Vespers with Benediction*(Sung by the Choir of Westminster Cathedral)

5.30pm – Sung Mass*  (Celebrated by Bishop John Sherrington)

9pm – Rosary*

10pm – Night Prayer of the Church (Compline)* followed by an All-night Vigil

MONDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER

6am – Mass*

8am – Mass of Farewell*  (Celebrated by H.E. Cardinal Vincent Nichols)

 (*) Entry for Masses and Liturgies will be via the side door of the Cathedral on Ambrosden Avenue.

When full capacity is reached, there will be no further entry.

Find out more about the tour of the Relics at stbernadette.org.uk

From Monday 25 July to Thursday 1 September, the following changes apply to the liturgical schedule during the summer break for the Cathedral Choir:

Weekday Vespers from Monday to Friday take the form of said Evening Prayer at the usual time of 5pm; the weekday 5.30pm Mass is said; the Sunday Solemn Mass at noon is sung by a Cantor; and Solemn Vespers on Sunday afternoon at 4pm are also led by a cantor in English.