Westminster Cathedral welcomes Little Amal

Image: Mazur/CBCEW

Source: Archdiocese of Westminster/ICN

Around a thousand people gathered at Westminster Cathedral yesterday, for a moving prayer service to welcome Little Amal, the 3.5m puppet of a ten-year old unaccompanied Syrian refugee girl. Her 8,000 kilometre journey across Europe, from the Turkey-Syria border through Greece, Italy, France Switzerland, Germany and Belgium to the UK is intended to highlight the plight of unaccompanied child migrants and the dangers they face on the way.

Refugee friends, supporters, volunteers and staff from JRS UK, Caritas Westminster and were among those waiting for her on the steps of Westminster Cathedral with Cardinal Vincent Nichols, and the Zimbabwean chaplaincy choir. Amal, whose name means 'hope' in Arabic, was greeted by Cardinal Vincent before being ushered into the Cathedral and down the aisle by a choir from the Congolese chaplaincy.

A special liturgy of welcome, introduced by Bishop Paul McAleenan, bishop for Migrants and Refugees. Bishop Paul acknowledged the perilous journey that refugees, especially unaccompanied child migrants, make in search of a safe haven and the Church's teaching to welcome those who arrive in our midst. Canon Pat Browne led singing of Whatsoever You Do. The liturgy was organised by Cathedral Precentor Fr Mike Maguire with input from Colette Joyce and others from Westminster J&P.

Amal's journey through the Cathedral took her to the Chapel of St Paul to look at the mosaics of the perilous journeys that the Apostle made during his travels around the Mediterranean proclaiming the Gospel.

A stop at the Lady Chapel introduced her to Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of the Church. "There is a place for everyone in the heart of Mary, our Mother," the Cardinal told Amal.

Speaking from the Cathedral pulpit, at about eye level with Amal, Cardinal Nichols said: "Welcome . This is the home of our hearts. This is where we pray. This where we come together to rejoice. I was so glad that you've come to visit us here in our cathedral. Thank you . Thank you."

He noted that Amal is tall and is easily seen, but that many refugees are invisible in our midst: "In our city, in your street and school, there are those who have left their country for reasons not of their own making: war, persecution, climate change."

He called attention to the many unaccompanied child refugees "who, in this country, are taken into slavery and exploitation while separated from their parents."

At the Sanctuary, he explained that this is "where we remember and come to the death and resurrection of Jesus, our source of unbreakable hope." There was a spontaneous moment when the Sri Lankan and Syro Malabar choir sang on the sanctuary and Amal and the congregation began dancing and clapping.

Amal's tour of the Cathedral was accompanied by narrative and prayers read by five children from Ss Michael and Martin parish, Hounslow, as well as music from the Sri Lankan (Tamil) and Syro-Malabar (Keralan) chaplaincy choirs.

Having turned 10 the previous day, Amal was presented with a ceramic angel made by students at Caritas St Joseph's Centre and a birthday card made by pupils at St James' Catholic High School in Barnet. She was also given a blessing by the Cardinal, as she journeys towards Manchester in search of her mother and continuing to raise awareness of the plight of child refugees.

Exiting to the rousing accompaniment of the Zimbabwean choir, she left behind her a congregation moved by her visit, and filled with joy and hope.

The figure of Amal was made by the world creators of War Horse, Handspring Puppet Company, and operated by three artists. Her lifelike movements and responsiveness to her surroundings attracted affection and interest from everyone she has met. Amir Zuabi Artistic Director of her Walk said: "Little Amal is 3.5 metres tall because we want the world to grow big enough to greet her. We want her to inspire us to think big and to act bigger."

LINKS

See further reports, pictures and films on Westminster J&P website: https://westminsterjusticeandpeace.org/2021/10/26/prayer-service-to-welcome-little-amal-to-westminster-cathedral/

Further information about Little Amal's journey is available at: www.walkwithamal.org/

See an educational pack available for schools here: www.walkwithamal.org/education/