Reflections & Homilies

This evening, Archbishop Richard Moth celebrated the Mass of the Lord's Supper at Westminster Cathedral. In his homily, he reflected on the Passover fulfilled in Christ, the Lamb of God who delivers humanity from sin through his self-giving sacrifice. Emphasising Christ's example of humble service in the washing of feet, he points to how this is in continuity with the gift of the Eucharist, in wh... Read More

April 3rd 2026 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross The Liturgy of Good Friday has a solemn simplicity that takes us back to earlier times, in fact the structure has its roots in the 4th century Liturgy in the basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, mainly the veneration of the Cross and reading of the Passion, mentioned by the pilgrim Egeria in her account of the ceremonies. It also has links t... Read More

April 2nd 2026 Ubi Caritas On Holy Thursday most of us focus on the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper and the watching with that sacramental presence of the Lord, as our altars are stripped bare in preparation for the solemn day of Good Friday. But the English title for this day, Maundy Thursday from the Latin word mandatum, hints at a profound otherness in what takes place and point... Read More

Lay people's service and witness is essential to building a Church that reaches out to all and spreads the Gospel, along with justice, charity and peace, Pope Leo XIV said during today's General Audience with pilgrims in St Peter's Square. "The vast field of the lay apostolate is not confined to the Church, but extends to the world," Pope Leo said. "The Church is present wherever her children prof... Read More

Archbishop Richard Moth delivered this homily yesterday at the Westminster Cathedral Chrism Mass. Dear Brothers and Sisters, In today's first reading, the Prophet Isaiah recognises himself as being the prophet chosen by the Lord to bring new life to the people. "The Lord has anointed me", he says. When we come to the Gospel, Jesus Himself, the Word made Flesh, the only Son of the Father, takes up ... Read More

Wednesday in Holy Week is the last day of Lent, and in English tradition often called Spy Wednesday on account of the gospel narrative of Judas betrayal of Jesus to the High Priests for thirty pieces of silver. I find it a rather ambiguous title, as like others, I feel Judas deserves compassionate treatment. But be that as it may, this day leads us directly into the Triduum, the three-day continuo... Read More

In the life of the Church, priests are called to accompany, support and serve their communities. But they themselves can go through difficult moments in which they need closeness and support. With this in mind, Pope Leo XIV, in his prayer intention for the month of April, invites us to pray for priests experiencing a crisis, that they might experience the nearness of God and his people, and redisc... Read More

Lectio Hymn O Jesus I Have Promised The words of this much loved hymn of Christian discipleship, were written by an Anglican priest, John Ernest Bode (1816-1874) and had its beginning in the confirmation of the poet's daughter and two sons in 1866. Bode served a small parish near Cambridge, England, and when his three children were ready for confirmation and wrote this hymn especially for the occa... Read More

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass for the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square on Palm Sunday. During his homily he reflected on Jesus as the King of Peace who rejects war and refuses to listen to the prayers of those who wage war. At the end of the Mass before the Angelus, Pope Leo read a heartfelt appeal for peace and called for prayers for all the victims of war. In his homily, Pope Leo said th... Read More

Lectio: Vexilla Regis As we begin Holy Week, moving onwards from Palm Sunday, it seems highly appropriate to reflect on an ancient processional hymn, which is one of the great treasures of the Latin liturgy, but has also been very successfully translated in English. This is the hymn, Vexilla Regis, which dates back to the 6th century. Originally composed by the poet and bishop of Poitiers Venantiu... Read More

March 29th 2026 On our journey through Great Lent we have discovered the essence of Jesus' love for us all and found the practical experience of it through his teaching. Now we reach Palm Sunday, the gateway into the liturgies of Holy Week and the solemn celebration of his passion, death and resurrection in those three days of the Paschal Triduum, making up as they do the feast of feasts, the pinn... Read More

Fifth Sunday of Lent The dramatic story of Lazarus that John shares with us, is the seventh and final sign Jesus performed before his passion and death. Quite simply it reveals Jesus as 'the resurrection and the life' as the promised messiah and son of God who is victorious over death, but also demonstrates for us his humanity and love rooted in the setting of his own friendship with Martha, Mary... Read More

Ahead of the day that countries in the Middle East celebrate Mother's Day, 21 March, a week after the UK marked the occasion, Bishop Jim Curry has reiterated Pope Leo's call that "paths of dialogue be reopened" and that the people of the Middle East can be spared the ongoing "atrocious violence of war." In particular, Bishop Curry, Lead Bishop for the Holy Land for the Bishops' Conference, urged C... Read More

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland writes: "Our country and our troubled world need us to be like Saint Patrick, strong and active witnesses of Peace, Faith, Hope and Love" Saint Patrick tells us that he was only fifteen or sixteen years of age when he was trafficked into Ireland as a slave. Even though he had been raised in a Christian home and family, he de... Read More