Papal Nuncio celebrates historic Catholic Mass in Canterbury Cathedral
Papal Nuncio celebrates historic Catholic Mass in Canterbury Cathedral
The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, Pope Leo’s representative to the Church in Great Britain, has celebrated a historic Catholic Mass in Canterbury Cathedral to mark the Translation of St Thomas of Canterbury.
The saint, more commonly known as Thomas Becket, was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He was killed by followers of King Henry II having quarreled with the monarch over the rights and privileges of the Church, and is venerated as a saint and martyr by both the Church of England and the Catholic Church. He was canonised by Pope Alexander III soon after his death.
In 1220, Thomas Becket’s body was translated, or moved, from Canterbury Cathedral’s crypt to the shrine behind the main altar, where it remained until 1538 when Henry VIII ordered the crypt be destroyed. Once a year, on 7 July, 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.
Although many Catholic Masses have been held at the famous Anglican cathedral, this was a historic ‘first’ in that it was the first time a papal nuncio had celebrated Mass there. It is particularly significant as a papal legate was said to have been present when the saint’s body was moved.
Preaching a homily on the feast marking the ‘translation’, Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía said:
“This Mass of pilgrimage takes place within the context of the Jubilee Year. It highlights the Christian life as a spiritual journey, moving through life’s trials and joys with hope anchored in Christ. Having travelled as pilgrims today, we do more than just honour a figure from history. The stained glass windows all around us illustrate the many miracles attributed to St Thomas in the medieval period. This should be a living story, too. Our world, today as then, is in need of hope. We come in this Jubilee Year as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ to be inspired by St Thomas’ holiness and his courageous witness to Christ and His Church.”
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