A full cathedral for this wonderful service

Some might claim that people are not queuing up to join the church but that was exactly what they were doing at this lovely affirming service on 22nd February, the First Sunday of Lent.

Over 120 people, from a wide range of ages and nationalities, together with their sponsors and families (and in one case a signer for the deaf), crowded into St Andrew’s Cathedral, as the St Mungo Singers provided gathering music to set the ambience.

After the opening hymn and the scripture readings (Genesis 12:1-4a;a setting of psalm 50 (51) by Noel Donnelly); Matthew 16:13-18).

(Ps 50: Have mercy O Lord, have mercy, O Lord, have mercy for we have sinned.)

Archbishop Nolan invited those present to wonder what had happened some 3700 years ago when Abraham set out on his journey.  He had faith in the One God but he didn’t know where he was going, only that he had been called by that One God to take this journey.  And so it is for us today, the Archbishop pointed out – we are called to put our trust in God.

In the Gospel passage the Lord puts his disciples – and us too –  on the spot with his question about who he is.  Their and our answer has consequences as it will result in being called to follow him.  He will lead and guide and we are not on our own.  As Abraham took his family with him, so we join with others and form a community a family, a church.  Placing out trust in God, we don’t make our journey on our own but follow in his footsteps.

Following the Archbishop’s words, the catechumens were then called to come and write their names in the Book of the Elect and join this family of the Lord, and they literally queued to do so, as the choir led the rest of the congregation in singing the hymns Though Jesus Christ was in the Form of God and the lovely setting of the Prayer of St Richard of Chichester- Day by Day.  Then it was the turn of those seeking full communion with the Catholic Church to come forward and have their request recognised.

The service ended with prayers of intercession for the catechumens and candidates as they complete their journey over Lent to Easter, and the final hymn, the Canticle of Ezekiel (Hear me, my People).  After photograph opportunities to record the day, all were invited to the Eyre Hall to celebrate with refreshments.