On Saturday 7 February, St Chad’s Cathedral hosted the annual Day for Religious, at which religious priests, brothers and sisters from across the Archdiocese renewed their commitment to the service of Jesus Christ, Light of the World.

Around 100 religious attended the ecumenical Mass, which was also attended by Anglican Canon Mark Pryce and Anglican religious.

The Mass was celebrated by Bishop David Evans. He opened his Homily with:

When the historian author of the First Book of Kings recorded the conversation between God and Solomon at Gibeon he did not believe he was offering the bare facts of an historical event. His history is revelation. It points out the relationship between God and humanity. Solomon is shown from the beginning to be in awe of God. This is expressed both in the abundance of  sacrifices that Solomon offered and in the place where he offered them. The highest of the high places was closest to God’s dwelling place. It was where God was most accessible.

Read Homily in full

Together the religious in attendance said in their Renewal of Vows:

God our Father, we thank you for the dignity of new life in the Baptism. Today we give thanks to you for the blessings which you have given to us.

Living as religious men and women in community, we commit ourselves to deepening our relationships with God and to continuing the mission of Jesus.

We renew once again the Vows of consecrated life: Chastity, Poverty and Obedience, which were made at our Religious Profession.

We ask the Prayers and support of all present, as we continue to live these vows faithfully.

We continue to dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly to serve you and the Church, and to spread the Kingdom of Christ with love and zeal.

As ever a number of African sisters, largely from Nigeria, led the offertory in their unique style and the Sorellii Minori sisters from Kingstanding led the communion hymn in Italian (see videos below).

Mass Booklet

After Mass the guests were due to have lunch before guest speaker, Fr Paul Nicholson SJ, spoke to the gathering. He currently works in London as the director of the Jesuit Institute and is involved in spiritual accompaniment, supervision and training. Fr Paul has been Socius (assistant) to the Jesuit Provincial. He edited The Way, a journal of Christian spirituality, and is author of An Advent Pilgrimage (2013) and Pathways to God (2017). Since being ordained in 1988 he has worked principally in ministries of spirituality and of social justice and was novice-master between 2008 and 2014 in Birmingham.

Earlier in the week Pope Leo XIV had celebrated Mass on the 30th World Day for Consecrated Life. Read article from Vatican News

Photo Gallery

Watch! Offertory Procession - Traditional African Song

Watch! A communion song in Italian