Thank you message to Westminster priests

image: Patti Fordyce

There was standing room only at Westminster Cathedral today for the annual Chrism Mass. The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, was the Chief Celebrant. Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, Auxiliary Bishops and about 350 priests and deacons of the Diocese of Westminster also took part.

People from parishes across the diocese began arriving hours before the midday service began. Among them was a group of lively singers from St Patrick's School of Evangelisation in Soho Square who performed on the Cathedral steps.

The Association of Catholic Women, and members of several other parish groups, brought placards with Thank You messages to express their appreciation for the hard work of Westminster's dedicated priests over the past year. This is the seventh year the ACM has held their 'demonstration'.

One supporter said: "It is so rare that all our priests are gathered together - we think it's too good an opportunity to miss, to let them know how much we appreciate them."

On the other side of the Piazza, a small group of protesters calling for the ordination of women also waved placards.