Traditional Latin Mass at St George's Cathedral, Southwark

The Latin Mass Society organised a Solemn Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite on Saturday 8 December for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Mass was followed by the singing of the Te Deum in thanksgiving for the Holy Father's Motu Proprio, 'Summorum Pontificum'.

The Celebrant was Fr Andrew Southwell, the Deacon was Fr Patrick Hayward and the Sub-deacon was Fr Christopher Basden. Canon Cronin, the Cathedral Administrator sat in choir and preached the homily. The MC was Gordon Dimon of the LMS and the Mass was sung by the Gentlemen of the Cathedral Choir under the direction of Nick Gale.

As far as is known, this was the first time the Traditional Latin Rite has been celebrated in St George's Cathedral since the post-Vatican II liturgical changes of 1969.

A very large congregation of several hundred packed the central nave and sang the people's parts of the Mass with great gusto. The size of the congregation was impressive given the very wet and blustery weather experienced that day. The congregation were delighted when Archbishop McDonald joined them after Mass to chat at the back of the cathedral.

Julian Chadwick, Chairman of the LMS, later said: "This Mass is an object lesson as to how cathedral authorities and the LMS can liaise fruitfully to reintroduce the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite into our cathedrals to satisfy the demand for this Rite which undoubtedly exists. The LMS is grateful to Archbishop McDonald and Canon Cronin for their help and we hope to return to St George's Cathedral before too long.