The Mass was celebrated by the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster (East Anglia is in the province of Westminster). Most of his brother Bishops from throughout England and Wales also attended, as well as the Apostolic Nuncio, along with clergy and seminarians from East Anglia, Southwark, Wonersh, Oscott, the Holy Land, Cambodia, Taize, and beyond, as well as civic dignitaries, lay Catholics from all over the country and the world, other Christians and, of course, Bishop Michael's own family. The Cathedral, the second largest in our country, was filled as no-body has ever seen it.
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| During the Funeral Mass of Bishop Michael |
The seminarians helped in our own small way, on the altar, and carrying the episcopal regalia as the coffin was carried to its place of rest by six priests. There were two moments during the funeral which will particularly remain in my memory.
Carrying the insignia of Bishop Michael's pastoral office through his Christian family assembled in the Cathedral was very humbling and moving, and we were greatly privileged to assist in this way particularly. Seeing the crozier carried through the congregation without a bishop attached to it brought home to me the loss that our diocesan family has experienced, and will continue to experience until the Lord sends us a new pastor to shepherd our souls. Now we must pray for that the Holy Spirit console and guide those who will choose a new bishop for East Anglia.
As the bishop's coffin was placed in the hearse and Archbishop Nichols sprinkled it with Holy Water, the bishops, priests, deacons and seminarians sang ad hoc the Salve Regina. Clergy experience the Motherhood of Mary in a particular way, and it was fitting that we ask our blessed Mother to look after Bishop Michael, now that he has departed this vale of tears, that he experience the beatific vision, gazing upon the face of the Lord God for all eternity, and share in the resurrection of the body on the Last Day. Being Christian is for this purpose, and Bishop Michael, in his example, showed us the Way.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual life shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
2 comments:
Thank you for this beautiful post. I couldn't attend and this post helped me feel part of saying goodbye to our lovely bishop. We do feel bereft and fatherless, which is a good reminder of how special a bishop is to his diocesan family.
He must of hated the Latin Salve Regina. As he was yet another Bishop who tried to create his own church within the Church, eg If the Blessed Sacrament was to fall on the floor, it was nolonger to be thought of as Being Jesus.
When will the Bishop's of this Country obey the Holy Father's instructions on the Liturgy. How hard is it to put six candle sticks and Cross on an Altar. And bring back Catholic Hymns not worship songs.
May his soul rest in peace, and to some of his fellow bishops, I say to them the words of Oliver Cromwell, Gentlemen you have sat here too long. In God's name GO.
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