On Sunday 14th June, Archbishop Bernard Longley celebrated the Association of St Chad’s Mass in the beautiful adorned cathedral of St Chad.
The closure of the Flower Festival served as a stunning backdrop for the Mass and a pertinent setting for His Grace to comment on the Pope’s forthcoming encyclical on the environment: ‘We are told that its title is Laudato Sii, calling to mind the words of the psalm May you be praised, O Lord. It is expected that Pope Francis will focus on human dignity and compassion for the world’s most vulnerable people, on human ecology and care for creation, and on authentic human development.’
The Archbishop spoke of how the flower festival reflected on the parables and presented the opportunity of a mini-pilgrimage, changing us in some way as we ponder each display. He compared this to the purpose of the Pope’s encyclical letter which will assist us in reflecting on the way we treat the human lives of our neighbours, and help us focus on the environment which we share with them.
To read Archbishop Longley’s homily in full, please click here: StChad’sAssociationMass150614
