Looking forward to St Patrick’s Day
Our special guest on St Patrick’s Day is The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Revd Justin Welby, who will join us for the pilgrimage and speak at our Festival Service in Down Cathedral.
His theme will be ‘Reconciliation’ – a subject close to his heart and still very relevant to us here in Northern Ireland. Dom Mark–Ephrem (Holy Cross Monastery, Rostrevor) will give the address at the Holy Communion Service in Saul.
The Festival Service will also see the debut of the ‘Kerygma Choir’, directed by Lorna Palmer. The choir was formed at Bishop Harold’s invitation to proclaim the gospel through a variety of musical styles and genres during 2015. In addition to their St Patrick’s Day performance when they will sing 2 anthems, Lorna is planning plan both a summer and a Christmas concert.
Our celebrations will follow their usual pattern with the Sullivan Group creating a great atmosphere in the narthex and during lunch. The Archbishop will lay the wreath on St Patrick’s grave and enjoy some Irish stew and apple tart with us in the marquee. After lunch, he, Bishop Harold and Dean Hull will join the St Patrick’s Day parade in Main Street, Downpatrick.
Seating
We are expecting large numbers on the day and a certain number of seats in the cathedral will be reserved for those on the pilgrimage. The remaining will be allocated on a first–come, first–served basis so please come prepared to be directed to the overflow facility which will have both sound and vision.
Parking
Down High School has generously offered us use of their car park but please note that spaces may not be reserved.
We’re looking forward to a great family day together!
Programme
- 9.00 am Holy Communion at Saul Preacher Dom Mark–Ephrem (Holy Cross Monastery, Rostrevor)
- 10.00 am Pilgrimage from Saul to Downpatrick
- 11.45 am Festival Service in Down Cathedral Preacher The Most Revd Justin Welby
- Wreath laying ceremony at St Patrick’s Grave
- 1.15 pm Irish stew lunch in the marquee
Transport to Saul
From 8.00 am, private buses will leave from the Mall for the communion service and pilgrimage.
- The last bus for the communion service leaves at 8.45 am
- The last bus for the pilgrimage leaves at 9.45 am