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There has been a Catholic community in Arundel for at least 1,000 years; last weekend’s anniversary celebrations offered an opportunity to reflect on Arundel Cathedral’s rich legacy as a place of sanctuary and spiritual renewal.
Arundel Cathedral marked its 150th anniversary last weekend with the celebration of Vespers on Friday 30 June, and Mass on Saturday 1 July, attended by the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Maury Buendía, Catholic Bishops from across England and Wales, the Duke of Norfolk and a range of dignitaries, and representatives from diocesan parishes and schools.
Arundel Cathedral plays a vital role in the spiritual life and mission of the Diocese, having served Catholics both locally and nationally across three centuries. There has been a Catholic community in Arundel for at least 1,000 years with the present building, which was commissioned by the 15th Duke of Norfolk, beginning life as a parish church. Designed in the French Gothic style and built as an ‘expression of a spirit of renewal’ by architect Joseph Aloysius Hansom, the building took just over three years to complete opening on 1 July 1873. Duke Henry’s church became a Cathedral in 1965 when The Diocese of Arundel & Brighton was established, with the dedication then changed to Our Lady & St Philip Howard.
Bishop Richard highlighted the important role and legacy of the Cathedral in the spiritual life of the diocese during his homily on Saturday. Speaking to the 650 people assembled he said:
“[Arundel Cathedral is] a beautiful place of worship, a place of sanctuary for the many who come here to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament, to take courage from prayer at the shrine of St Philip Howard and to find rest in the midst of a troubled world. It is a sign, in stone and glass, of the presence of God in His world, dominating the skyline of this small Sussex town of Arundel, proclaiming faith in the Risen Christ.
“The image of life flowing from this place of worship is a potent description of the life of the Church. Over these last 150 years, the faithful have gathered here for the celebration of Mass and the sacraments and carried with them the grace of these encounters with the person of Christ – a constant stream of living faith, spreading through our society and the world around us.”
The Cathedral’s 150th Anniversary is being marked across the year with a rich and varied programme of events including an exhibition exploring the history of the Cathedral held at Arundel Museum, and a programme of concerts performed by a range of artists and performers - including the Cathedral Choir. The Cathedral commissioned award-winning composer and pianist Kristina Arakelyan to write an anthem to commemorate the anniversary, with the inaugural performance of the piece given during the Anniversary Mass on Saturday. Speaking about the commission, Arundel Cathedral’s Organist and Master of the Choristers, Elizabeth Stratford said:
“Kristina considered different texts but settled on Jubilate Deo – O be joyful in the Lord – which talks about serving the Lord with gladness and coming before His presence with a song. This felt very appropriate given the history of our Cathedral and the worship which has been offered there throughout generations, not least by Duke Henry’s own family.”
Guests at both Vespers and Mass enjoyed a Reception in the grounds of Arundel Castle, the seat of the Duke of Norfolk, following each celebration.
The Diocese wishes to thank to Nigel Cull and CBCEW's Marcin Mazur for the kind use of their photographs. You can see Nigel's Vespers album here. Marcin's photographs of both Vespers and Saturday's Mass can be viewed on the CBCEW Flickr site here.
Dear brothers and sisters,
His Grace, the Duke of Norfolk, in his words of introduction this evening has thrown some light on the person and character of Duke Henry and this evening, as we join the Church throughout the world in the praying of Vespers, we give thanks for Duke Henry’s commitment to the Faith in the building of this beautiful church, which became the Mother Church of our Diocese in 1965.
Just as the neo-gothic architecture of this building leads our eyes to the Sanctuary and, in its arched height, to the heavens, so our prayer rises to the Father and, especially in the incensing of the altar during the Magnificat, we focus on the place of the Eucharistic Sacrifice.
While we give thanks for Duke Henry’s building, the skill of stone mason and glass maker, of architect and builder – this very building calls us to reflect on the person of Christ Himself, of the Father who sent His Son and on the Holy Spirit, whose promptings enable all who come here to experience the wonder and mystery of God’s presence in His world and of His call to each end every person.
The very height and beauty of this building sets it apart from all that is around it – a sign of the people we are called to be as followers of Christ – a people set apart. We may find this difficult, but not being ‘part of the crowd’ enables us, as this consecrated nation, to proclaim Christ to the world, to stand slightly aside from the ways of the world so that we may bring others to see things from the perspective of the Kingdom of God, to recognise the call of that Kingdom and to recognise that the way to real life lies in the person of Christ Who is the Word, Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
This building is set apart not only in its architecture, but – more importantly – through its dedication, its consecration for the praise and worship of Father, Son and Spirit, for the celebration of the Eucharist and the other Sacraments, for the liturgies that mark our final journey, as a place of quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, a place of refuge for those who may need rest. This consecration, this setting apart, is marked by the anointing of its walls – those places lit with candles on this feast of dedication.
Let us be in no doubt, as followers of Christ we are a chosen people – a people set apart. Through Baptism we share in the common priesthood – and for those of us called to ordination, our specific sharing in the priesthood of Christ calls us to give everything in the service of this consecrated nation. As Christ’s people we are set apart. Perhaps we do not always find this easy – but to those who are given much, much is expected. Perhaps, we fear that being set apart, we think ourselves special? No, being part of the Body of Christ does not bring with it aggrandisement or privilege in the eyes of those around it. On the contrary, it is that we may carry out the mission the Lord has given to us – to be his people, giving of ourselves – each according to our vocation, gifts and talents – that all may know Him. It is a mission that requires the emptying of self, that we be filled with Christ.
Just as this great church calls people to God, so – conformed to Christ – we become the living stones, building the spiritual house, lit by the wonderful light Who is Christ.
We give thanks for this church, a building set apart, proclaiming Christ to all around. Knowing that we are set apart for Christ’s work – not just intellectually, but with every fibre of our being – let us give praise to Him who has called us to be that spiritual house, the people called to proclaim Him to the world.
Dear brothers and sisters,
His Grace, the Duke of Norfolk, in his words of introduction today has told us something of the life and character of Duke Henry, and as we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of this great church, we give thanks for Duke Henry’s deep Catholic faith and his commitment to such a wonderful project.
Duke Henry’s vision brought about the building of a beautiful place of worship, a place of sanctuary for the many who come here to spend time before the Blessed Sacrament, to take courage from prayer at the shrine of St Philip Howard and to find rest in the midst of a troubled world. It is a sign, in stone and glass, of the presence of God in His world, dominating the skyline of this small Sussex town of Arundel, proclaiming faith in the Risen Christ.
We have heard the words of the prophet Ezekiel, and his vision of the life springing from the Temple in Jerusalem. The image of life flowing from that place of worship is a potent description of the life of the Church. Over these last 150 years, the faithful have gathered here for the celebration of Mass and the Sacraments, and carried with them the grace of these encounters with the person of Christ – a constant stream of living faith, spreading through our society and the world around us.
This image of life is taken up by St Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians – for he sees God’s building not in stone, but in the living stones of the community of faith. This is a dynamic image, a description of growth and mission. All is built in Christ – the One Who gives Himself to us in the Eucharist celebrated here – and it is a work that requires our utmost effort and care. It is a work entrusted to us.
Must we not, then, reflect on this task that the Lord Himself has given to us? Our baptism calls us to be His – not just as individuals, but as a people, a community of faith. This is a vital sign to a world stricken with an individualistic agenda that brings increasing isolation to so many. It is more than this – we are called to be the very presence of Christ Himself, calling others to Him. This is the primary task of the Church, the proclamation of the Good News that is true life for the world.
In our celebration today, we mark the various ways in which this baptismal vocation is lived. The Word of God has been read by two of our seminary students, the two deacons assisting me are newly ordained, and the Gospel has been proclaimed by one of our Permanent Deacons. At the Offertory, the gifts will be brought to the altar by a married couple, along with one discerning consecrated life in the world. The vocations that we are called to follow enable us to build God’s temple - that is the source of dynamic evangelisation and the experience of life lived in Christ – the community that worships in spirit and truth.
These are the words used by Jesus Himself in his conversation with the Samaritan woman. He engages with someone regarded as an outcast by the chosen people of Israel. He invites her to be open to a new time – the time that has come in Him – the worship that flows from a relationship with the Word made flesh for us. We are in that time right now, and shall be in this time until the world comes to an end – for Christ has died and risen from the dead. His saving work, freeing us from sin and giving us new life, is what we proclaim to the world. This is the reality that the building made of living stones announces to the world that is in so much need of this message.
Here in Duke Henry’s beautiful church, its arches soaring heavenward, its altar the place of the Eucharistic sacrifice, we encounter the One Who is Life. He gives Himself to us, truly present in the Eucharist - and we must build on Him alone. While the task is great, provided all is built on Christ, we shall not falter. Rather, through prayer and an ever-deepening love for the one who died for us, we shall become so conformed to Him that when the world looks at this living building, all that will be seen is the Christ Whom we proclaim.
So today, as we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of this church – the Mother Church of our Diocese since 1965 – may its beauty remind us of what we are to be – God’s Temple, a people from whom His life flows, a people calling all to worship in spirit and in truth.
Please direct media enquiries to Laura Maydew-Gale, E: communications@abdiocese.org.uk or M: 07552 249829
Image: CBCEW, Marcin Mazur
