Catholic Mass at Canterbury Cathedral for Feast of the Translation of St Thomas Becket

Canterbury Cathedral Image by Tomasz Zielonka on Unsplash

On 7 July, every year, the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury Cathedral allow the Catholic Parish of St Thomas of Canterbury to celebrate Mass in honour of St Thomas Becket. This Catholic Mass happens only once a year. The day marks the Feast of the Translation (transfer) of the relics of St Thomas Becket.

This year, the Jubilee Year of Hope, for the first time, the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia will be the main celebrant at the Feast of the Translation Mass in the presence of dignitaries of Church and State, including the Vatican St Peter's cricket team, and pilgrims.

Music for the Mass will be directed by Nigel Short and Tenebrae, the internationally acclaimed English choir www.tenebrae-choir.com/about/tenebrae

The Feast of the Translation Mass will conclude with the blessing of St Thomas Becket's relics. All pilgrims are invited to a reception after the Mass.

Fifty years after his martyrdom, the remains of St Thomas Becket were carefully removed from his tomb in the Canterbury Cathedral crypt and transferred (or 'translated') to a bejewelled, encrusted, golden casket in a purpose-built chapel, behind the high altar. The event was attended by dignitaries including the teenage King Henry III. The translation was established and presided over by Archbishop Stephen Langton The anniversary of the 'translation' of Becket's bones to his shrine, was the most important and well-attended pilgrimage feast in England for many centuries. More than 5000 pilgrims a week made the pilgrimage. These journeys were immortalised in the Canterbury Tales by Chaucer.

The shrine was destroyed by King Henry VIII in 1538. An inscription and candle now mark the site of the shrine.

To register to attend the Pilgrimage Mass see: https://canterburyjubilee2025.com/