Nottingham: Late night Mass draws hundreds of young people

Photo: Marcin Mazur/CBCEW

Mass by candlelight late on a Friday evening isn't something one would ordinarily associate with young people in a bustling city full of pubs and clubs vying for their time, attention and money. Yet, that is exactly what happened last Friday at Nottingham Cathedral, when hundreds of young adults gathered in the darkness of the Cathedral to spend a very late evening in the presence of the Eucharistic Lord.

Inspired by the 'Little Miracle of Lille', ( see link below) Bishop Patrick McKinney, Bishop of Nottingham, invited young people to gather at the Cathedral for Mass at 10pm followed by a time of Adoration. Drawing on the beauty of the Catholic Church's tradition; the Sanctuary was illuminated to highlight its luminous Gothic splendour, Gregorian chant echoed throughout the Cathedral, incense filled the sanctuary, and, in the darkness and stillness of the church, young people were invited to be open to an encounter with Jesus Christ.

In his homily, Bishop Patrick spoke of the hope that is found in faith in Jesus Christ and encouraged those gathered to be ambassadors of that hope in the culture they find themselves in.

Bishop Patrick concluded the evening with a period of adoration during which young people were invited to bring whatever was on their hearts- anxieties, hopes, dreams, wounds, concerns- before the Lord, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. It was quite a remarkable to see so many young people patiently queuing in the main aisles to have their moment to kneel before the Lord, to 'touch the hem of His garment' and to receive the lasting peace that only the Lord can give.

The counter cultural witness of those young adults who chose to gather at the Cathedral after a working week or a day of studies, was a moving witness to those older volunteers and clergy present, that the Church is very much alive and that young people are searching for something more than the world offers them.

It is the Bishop's hope that this Mass will be the first of many such Masses at the Cathedral and that, in the midst of the busyness and many pulls of this world, the Church can offer unique a space for young adults to come to know how intimately and deeply the Lord loves them, to grow as His disciples and to witness to Christ in their daily lives.

LINK

Read about the Little Miracle of Lille HERE