This annual Mass for the deceased clergy, including bishops and archbishops of the Archdiocese of Glasgow, was held this year on 14th November, in St Andrew’s Cathedral, presided over by Archbishop Nolan. The music for the service was supported by the Archdiocesan choir, the St Mungo Singers.
It was a reflective, hope-filled Mass, with the opening hymns How Blest are Those who have died in the Lord and Be Still, my Soul expressing the Christian confidence in eternal life. These themes of hope and confidence were echoed in the words of the Gospel Verse – If we have died with Christ, then we shall live with him– the Offertory hymn –and in my flesh, I shall see God, the living God – and the final verse of the Communion hymn –only a shadow of your joys for me, when we meet face to face.
I Know that my Redeemer – Full Score
The readings of the Mass, too, (2Timothy 2:8-13 and John 6:51-58) reminded the congregation of the Lord’s promise of eternal life. In his homily, Archbishop Nolan repeated the words of the Gospel passage “I am the living Bread”. This is what we receive in Holy Communion and it is the promise of eternal life, he said, and therefore we celebrate this Mass with hope. This gift of life is for all present at Mass and we must give thanks for the ministry of all the priests of the Diocese past and present, who bring this gift to us.
