Jesuits in Britain 400th anniversary Mass

Father Damian Howard SJ delivers the homily. Image: Jesuit Media

Source: Farm Street Jesuits

The Jesuits in Britain marked the 400th anniversary of the establishment of the British Province with a Mass on Saturday 21 January 2023 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street, London.

The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, and the homily was delivered by the Provincial Superior of the British Jesuits, Father Damian Howard SJ. The packed congregation heard the premier of the new motet, 'Precious in the eyes of the Lord' by Sir James MacMillan, performed by the Farm Street choir. A delegation of students from St Aloysius College in Glasgow brought up the Offertory gifts.

A reception in the Arrupe Hall next door followed and many visited a special exhibition prepared for the occasion.

The Mass marked 400 years since the establishment of a Province structure in England and Wales. The Jesuit mission is still flourishing today in Britain, with the Jesuits' pastoral, intellectual, educational, spiritual and social activities all thriving. From parishes, including Farm Street, to schools, universities university chaplaincies, through to social centres such as JRS-UK and Jesuit Missions, the Jesuits continue to inspire people to work for the good of others.

They have embraced new technology too; whether it's the popular prayer app Pray-As-You-Go, the wide range of spiritual and theological courses delivered online or at centres such as the London Jesuit Centre, St Beuno's and the Ignatian Spirituality Jesuit Centre in Glasgow, the Jesuits and those who work with them continue to follow the example of their founder St Ignatius of Loyola, who sought to find God in everything.

Prayers were said for the Church and world. One prayed for those who lead our country to work for "a just society" and "to care of our common home".

Links:

www.farmstreet.org.uk

www.jesuit.org.uk/news/homily-for-the-fourth-centenary-of-the-british-province-of-jesuits