Southwark: Come and experience a touch of the Lord this Lent!

Touching the Hem of Jesus' Garment is special devotion to the Blessed Sacrament developed by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, to help increase people's experience of the healing power of Jesus in his Eucharistic presence.

This ministry began in the Friars' work among young people and has gradually spread through the Church.

The name recalls the gospel story when the woman with the issue of blood did not feel worthy to approach Jesus directly but felt that if she could only touch the hem of his garment she would be healed.

As part of this ministry the priest or deacon carrying the monstrance cradles it with the humeral veil and stops for a moment in front of each person and blesses them, giving them a personal encounter with the Eucharistic Lord.

Those who have experienced this ministry can testify to the power of it and the sense of the Lord's presence and the silence and reverence with which people process forward to receive this blessing.

At St George's Cathedral in Southwark, the cathedral discipleship prayer group organise a Healing Mass on the second Tuesday of the month ( September to April). This is usually attended by 50 to 60 people, but last month on 11th February, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, numbers doubled and about 120 people attended.

Many had never experienced the Touching the Hem of Jesus' Garment ministry before and were quite overwhelmed by its power. So many people attended that this Tuesday (11th March 7pm-8.30 pm) that the organisers have invited extra priests to hear confession after the Mass for healing. As well as the laying on of hands, Rev Neil Philipson will lead the ministry of Touching the Hem Of Jesus Garment and Fr Joseph Donkor will celebrate the Mass and hear confessions assisted by Fr Christopher Pearson from Precious Blood church in Borough.

(Next month's Healing Mass with Touching the Hem of Jesus Garment ministry will be Tuesday 8 April 7-8.30 pm)