We had a powerful St Patrick’s Day Festival Service in Down Cathedral on Saturday 16 March culminating in Bishop David lighting the first of many beacons which will burn across the diocese this weekend.
Our preacher the Rt Revd Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster, had spoken of how St Patrick’s humble faith, fired by the Spirit in the secret place of prayer, lit the torch of the gospel which travelled across the British Isles, defying the darkness of his day.
She said: “My prayer is that we may carry his mantle afresh in our day, to light many beacons. Until that day when there is no more darkness in the world, and the whole world is full of the light of Christ Jesus.”
Bishop David earlier in the service consecrated torches and oil which have been carried back into the diocese. On St Patrick’s Day evening each church will light a beacon in the context of a prayer service and ask God to revive his church in this land.
Saul and the Prayer Pilgrimage
The diocesan festival began earlier in the day with Holy Communion at Saul Church. Canon Bill Press, rector of Knockbreda Parish, preached from Hebrews 5:9 and reminded us that Patrick’s mission has become our mission. He urged us to stay close to Jesus and, like Patrick, to hold fast to the faith even when it is difficult and we face many challenges.
After the service a large band of pilgrims set out from Saul in dry weather and stayed with us through heavy rain to pray at several stops on the way to Down Cathedral. The pilgrimage was led by Pastor David Legge, a Bible teacher with a cross–denominational ministry, who guided us using Psalm 24. David also led the prayers of intercession at the Festival Service.
Down Cathedral
Down Cathedral was full to capacity, and the congregation spilled over into the narthex. Musical highlights included the Cathedral Choir’s rendition of Dana’s song, Light the Fire and Sionan Mullan’s performance of The Dove’s Cry. Lydia Harvey and band led the congregation in singing Hearts on Fire, a song written some years ago by her Dad, Archdeacon Mark Harvey.
After Bishop David consecrated the torches and oil, Archdeacon Jim Cheshire lit the first torch which was used to light the first beacon at the doors of the Cathedral.
Following the service, Bishop Jill laid a wreath on St Patrick’s grave and the congregation stayed on in the cathedral for a complimentary ‘Picnic in the Pews’.
Bishop David’s prayer
In her address, Bishop Jill shared a prophetic sense that God wanted to hollow out the places of pain in our land and make room for deep wells of grace to spring up. This was echoed in Bishop David’s prayer as the first beacon roared into flame.
Lord, visit our nation with your Holy Spirit. Send the wind of your Spirit and the fire of your Spirit once again. Visit every church in this diocese, visit every Christian tradition in this nation. We pray for healing where there is pain and hurt; we pray for grace for those who need help to forgive; we pray for salvation to be poured into the hearts of many who need to believe. But we pray above all for your church to be filled with grace, to be filled with truth, to live under the authority of your Holy Word, and to be baptised afresh with your Holy Spirit’s fire and an energy to preach the Gospel. In Jesus name. Amen.
