37 Pope

The Pope is the leader of the Catholic Church throughout the world and is the successor of St Peter, Jesus' apostle.  The word 'Pope' means 'Father' and we use this word because the Pope represents God as our Father, who loves us and who sent Jesus, His Son, to die on the cross for us. 

During his lifetime, Jesus made Peter the leader of his Church, to take over when Jesus returned to heaven after his resurrection. Jesus gave Peter authority to act on his behalf to ensure that the truth about Jesus' life, death and resurrection was passed on. A symbol which is in plentiful supply around the Cathedral are the keys.  See Cathedral Parish blog for news of where parishioners have taken St Peter's Keys and news of this years image which we hope people will take around the globe.

We are reminded about those words of Peter when asked by Jesus, 'who do you say I am?'

You are the Christ, the son of the living God.

Seven candles above these words are lit when the Bishop is present

On 29^th June, we celebrate the feast of St Peter and St Paul and we thank God for their lives and their commitment to sharing the faith so that the early Church could grow. 

36 First Holy Communion Certificate

The first time a person receives the Body of Christ in the Sacrament of the  Eucharist is called  their First Holy Communion. It is a special occasion and is usually celebrated with family, friends and the parish. Catechists prepare people for their First Holy Communion and help them to understand the greatness of the gift that is given to us in the Eucharist. When a person makes their First Holy Communion, they receive a special certificate to commemorate the day. From then on, a person may receive Holy Communion in Mass as often as they wish.

Assorted Holy Communion certificates

Below the certificate for this year's Holy Communion group, it includes a copy of the stained glass window of St Thomas where he says those famous words 'My Lord and My God' which is the name we have for our Sacramental Preparation programme.  For further details of the My Lord and My God programme.  For details of our recent celebration mass when certificates were given out.

Holy Communion Certificate for My Lord and My God programme

If any readers have a photo and story to tell about their own First Holy Communion certificate we'd like to include this, please use our contact page to get in touch.

36 First Holy Communion Certificate

CCC 1244 First Holy Communion. Having become a child of God clothed with the wedding garment, the neophyte is admitted "to the marriage supper of the Lamb" and receives the food of the new life, the body and blood of Christ. 

The Eastern Churches maintain a lively awareness of the unity of Christian initiation by giving Holy Communion to all the newly baptized and confirmed, even little children, recalling the Lord's words: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them." 

The Latin Church, which reserves admission to Holy Communion to those who have attained the age of reason, expresses the orientation of Baptism to the Eucharist by having the newly baptized child brought to the altar for the praying of the Our Father.

This short video has the account of two people's First Holy Communion, St Josemaria Escriva, whose feast day is on 26th June and from 1 minute 30 seconds Pope Benedict XVI who talked to young children about his First Holy Communion.   

35 Pyx

A pyx is a small container that is used to carry Holy Communion to those who are sick or housebound. Sometimes a priest may be called out to take Holy Communion to someone who is very ill. Usually in a parish, there is a rota of Eucharistic ministers who take Holy Communion to the sick or housebound and sometimes this will be done immediately after Sunday Mass. Those who are sick or housebound are still in communion with the rest of the Parish. During the prayers of intercession, we remember those who are sick and through Holy Communion, they are united with Christ and the Church in a very special way.

Pyx

CCC 1521 Union with the passion of Christ. By the grace of this sacrament the sick person receives the strength and the gift of uniting himself more closely to Christ's Passion: in a certain way he is consecrated to bear fruit by configuration to the Savior's redemptive Passion. Suffering, a consequence of original sin, acquires a new meaning; it becomes a participation in the saving work of Jesus.

34 History and Litanies to Sacred heart of Jesus

History and further details of the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Litany to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
A litany is a list of petitions, we often pray the litany of saints, where we name the saints and ask them to pray for us.  In the following litanies to the Sacred Heart the petitions tell us something about the love Jesus has for each one of us and something about the what He has done for us.

A modern litany to the Sacred heart of words and images
The litany is spoken with a modern hymn of praise in the background

A litany in words and pictures to read
with 18th century plainchant in background

A parish praying the litany last 4 mins
followed by talk by
Redemptorist Missionary on power of prayer

Please pray for the young people in the Cathedral parish who will receive their First Holy Communion on Sunday 16th June.

34 Statue of the Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart Statue Lancaster Cathedral

On Friday, we celebrate the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  It is celebrated 19 days after Pentecost. We celebrate God's great love for His people, shown to us through Jesus. 

Devotion to the sacred heart of Jesus first started in France in the 17^th century where St Margaret Mary Alacoque had a series of visions of Jesus. 

Many Churches now have a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

33 Monstrance Craft and Adoration

Today adults and children preparing for first Holy Communion, gathered together to join in with the 40 hours devotions.  Whilst adults had time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, the children created their own monstrances.  They then went in to Church to have a few minutes silent prayer before all gathering around the statue of St Therese.

Children proudly showing their own Monstrance 

Create your own monstrance

For details of the remaining 40 hours exposition
Times for weekly exposition at the Cathedral see newsletter and parish blog

Exposition at Lancaster Cathedral 2013