The Dowry of Our Lady
We have received information from Archbishop Malcolm regarding the rededication of England and Wales to the Dowry of Our Lady. This is what Archbishop Malcolm says:
‘It has been agreed with the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales that the rededication of England as the Dowry of Mary will take place this year. The rededication in 2020, unlike the dedication of King Richard II in 1381, will not be the gift of the country of England, but the personal gift of the faith of the people of England to the Mother of God. We call upon Our Lady to guide and protect our country in the years to come, that we may work together to build a common good, as we seek to embrace the truth of the Gospel. The rededication seeks to inspire us to create a culture that respects life, embraces the great diversity of our people, and inspires all to a greatness of heart that will serve our community, seeking the good of others before ourselves, especially the poor and the marginalised of our world.
Rededication timetable:
Jan 1st 2020: Formal public announcement by the Bishops of England and Wales.
Feb 21st 2020: All Catholics, and anybody else who wants to join in, will be invited to begin a personal 33 day consecration to Jesus through Mary following the method of St Louis de Montfort. Free books will be sent from the Shrine at Walsingham, on request, written by Fr Michael Gaitley entitled, ’33 days to morning glory’.
Wednesday March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation: All who are following the consecration will consecrate themselves to Jesus through Mary on this day.
Thursday 26th, Friday 27th, Saturday 28th March: A three-day triduum of prayer in which all will be invited to recite the litany of Saints and Martyrs of England and pray the rosary in preparation for the rededication.
Sunday March 29th: A personal rededication as the Dowry of Mary. This will be done in every Cathedral, every cooperating parish, and as many homes as possible. It is a personal rededication following the guidelines in the book ‘The Angelus Promise’ which can be obtained from the Walsingham Shrine. I will, therefore, be celebrating the 11am Mass on this day at the Metropolitan Cathedral to mark this. The National Shrine has produced a briefing paper and resource book which outlines the background, history and liturgical action for this moment in our Church life. I would encourage you to have a look.’
Following on from this we have tried to secure some pamphlets with information for personal prayer leading up to this event but unfortunately only a limited number were available and we were only able to purchase fifty copies. The Shrine will be getting more in the next few weeks.
Next Sunday we welcome civic dignitaries and representatives of the statutory and voluntary services to our Annual Civic Mass at 11am. This is always a great opportunity for us to extend a warm welcome to key influential people from across the areas that span our Diocese and to pray together for our city and region.
The CAMRA Beer Festival takes place next week from Wednesday evening until Saturday evening in the Crypt Hall, prior to the start of Lent. Due to the Hall being in use next Saturday the Evening Vigil Mass at 6.30pm will take place in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Another storm is forecast for this weekend. It may mean that the main doors of the Cathedral will remain closed. If this is the case please us the either the East Entrance or enter through the car park.
Canon Anthony O’Brien
Cathedral Dean
