On Saturday, June 7 a group of parishioners from our parish joined more than 3,000 Catholics from the Archdiocese of Southwark to mark the Year of Jubilee at Aylesford Priory. The day was also a celebration of the 175th year since the foundation of the Diocese of Southwark and also the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene creed.
The day centred around prayer, reflection and celebration starting with the rosary led by Archbishop John Wilson at the Shrine.
Reconciliation, and Adoration was available throughout the day, and there was a chance to pray by the Jubilee Icon, which is currently touring the dioceses in England and Wales.
There were also stalls showcasing the variety of groups, charities and missions that are in the archdiocese, as well as singing and dancing and rosary walks too.
But the highlight was the Mass held at the Shrine, with everyone gathered at the end of the day. Our group processed with the other Parishes holding up our Jubilee banner!
In his Homily Archbishop John prayed for the Archdiocese to be one of mission and evangelisation. Celebrating Pentecost, he reminded those gathered that we should be “animated by the Holy Spirit, like those first disciples gathered with Our Lady in the Upper Room: we are waiting. We are watching. We are praying. We are asking that our hearts be ignited anew by the Holy Spirit.”
Rain had been forecast for the day, but held off until the last minute. Archbishop John told us he prayed and asked God to hold off the rain “at least until 5pm!”
As the final song was sung, and we were given the blessing, the rain began, to which he joked his “prayer was answered”.
Our parish group boarded our coach leaving enriched after a wonderful day celebrating the Jubilee.
Jo-Anne Rowney
You can find more photos and video from the day, as well as a transcript of the
Archbishop’s homily at https://rcaos.org.uk/2025jubilee
