To mark the end of the Year of Mercy in the Diocese of Westminster, young people were invited to come to Westminster Cathedral and pray the Way of the Cross. Hundreds of people gathered together, to pray the Stations with a focus on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy that have been a continuous thread through this Holy Year.
A re-enactment of the Stations of the Cross was presented by RISE Theatre and young parishioners from St Patrick’s, Wapping, the parish of Diocesan Youth Chaplain Fr David Reilly. Narrating the scenes were World Youth Day pilgrims, with music led by Edwin Fawcett.
To aid prayer and reflection on mercy, there was a projection of examples of practical works of mercy from around the diocese including food banks and homeless shelters.
After the Way of the Cross, Bishop Nicholas Hudson and the Polish Ambassador to the UK, Arkady Rzegocki, opened a photo exhibition. The exhibition features photos of World Youth Day in Krakow taken by Marcin Mazur.
In a short address opening the exhibition, Bishop Nicholas said: ‘This exhibition is a celebration of two things: it celebrates not only the remarkable World Youth Day which so many of us experienced last July in Poland; it also celebrates the rich Polish presence here in England and Wales’.
He also emphasised that we must not forget ‘the mercy which our loving God waits to pour into our hearts and which he calls us to live’.
A wider display of images has been collated into a book, featuring many photos, accompanied by the words of Pope Francis. A copy of this book, ‘From Krakow with Love’, was presented today to the Pope by Cardinal Vincent Nichols in Rome.
The exhibition runs at Westminster Cathedral until 28 November and entry is free.
Photos are available at: