London: Spirit in the City Festival

A West End theatre and four Catholic churches - as well as gardens and streets in between - are all gearing up for this year's Spirit in the City Festival - a celebration that brings faith directly into the heart of the capital. Up to 50,000 people are expected to take part in celebrations which begin this Wednesday evening, 12 June with a dazzling opening show: 'Awakening' and ends on Saturday with an all-day festival in Leicester Square.

Awakening, at the Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7B - is an evening of music and drama featuring Paul J Kim: a dynamic musician from Los Angeles; Ooberfuse: A London based electro-pop band; Soul Sanctuary: Consisting of several gospel, classical and jazz singers; British singer-songwriter Edwin Fawcett and Rise Theatre a dynamic company passionate about inspiring people to discover their full potential. It's been described as 'explosive and thought provoking'!

(Tickets: £15 (£12 concessions & group bookings - Tel: 020 7440 2663 online: http://bit.ly/bookawakening

The Opening Mass is at 12.45 Thursday 13 June 2013. There will be afternoon workshops from 1.45 - 6pm. Sanctuary in the City follows with Adoration in the church and street outreach

In the evening at 7pm there will be praise and worship & London Premier of ‘Child' by Grassroots Productions, as well as a talk by Magnus McFarlene-Barrow, Founder of Mary’s Meals.

A Marian street procession through the streets of the West End will set off at 8pm, followed by night prayer and social.

Friday's programme begins with Mass at 12.15, followed by Adoration from 1.15-5.30pm;  followed by Sanctuary in the City: Adoration in the church, street outreach and workshops.

The Evening Programme, starting at 7pm, includes prayer, music, and a talk by Fr John Armitage. There will be a Eucharistic street procession from Notre Dame de France to Corpus Christi followed by a time of Adoration, Benediction and Night Prayer

On Saturday 15 June there will be a festival in Leicester Square Gardens from 1-8pm, with live entertainment; a stage programme with Live music; workshops; Prayer Tent, Adoration; Reconciliation tent; Information stalls; Prayer Chair Ministry; face painting and more!

The festival will conclude with an International Mass in Notre Dame de France at 6pm.

For full programme details visit: www.spiritinthecity.org/