"Stay with us, Lord"

The Archbishop of Southwark, Kevin McDonald, presided at a special Diocesan Mass on Saturday 17th September, 2005 at Aylesford Priory, Kent to celebrate the Year of the Eucharist. The theme of the day was "Stay with us, Lord" taken from the Apostolic Letter of John Paul II, "Mane nobiscum, Domine".

In his homily the Archbishop asked the people to reflect on two words: remembering and recognition. In referring to the rejection of the European Constitution by two countries he said that what was significant was the reluctance of those who wrote it to refer to the spiritual and cultural roots of Europe in Christianity. In quoting the Gospel story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus he said, "Today is an opportunity to recognize Jesus Christ". He stated that "the fundamental issue of our day is faith in Jesus Christ, recognizing the love of God for each of us, and evangelizing- sharing, telling what we have received". There was a period of adoration and a procession and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament which included fifty altar severs.

"A wonderful day"

Archbishop McDonald commented afterwards that "the Day of the Eucharist in Aylesford was a wonderful day. We were blessed with beautiful weather and it was a great opportunity to celebrate the Eucharist as a diocese. I am very grateful to all those who came and to all who helped to organize it."

Photos of the Day

All the photographs on this page have been supplied by Newbery Smith Photography They are copyright and may not be reproduced without permission..

"Gathered as a diocese to celebrate the Eucharist"

Over 110 coaches brought more than 7,000 to the shrine. The Prior of Aylesford, Fr Francis Kemsley, welcomed all to the shrine.

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"We are Church, gathered together"

Those participating in the Day included Bishop John Hine, auxiliary in Southwark and Bishop Charles Henderson and Bishop Tripp, as well as 150 priests and 30 deacons. Seminarians training for the Southwark Diocese assisted as servers at the Mass.

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"... which will be poured out for you ..."

The focus of the day was the gift of the most holy Eucharist, the body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, made present for us in the Eucharistic Sacrifice. In the afternoon, there was a procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. In his sermon, the Archbishop reminded us "God loves us, he gave his only Son who died for us and this love is available to us today if we would take it and receive it."

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"Let us go forth in peace"

The Archbishop spoke of how our work for justice and peace in the world derives from the Eucharist, "a foretaste of a world transformed by grace". He prayed that "through our faith and through our communion, the Body of Christ will be formed afresh in our day."

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