A special Mass was celebrated at St Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday 25 June 2017 to mark the opening of a year of celebration and commemoration of 200 years of Catholic faith in Southern Africa. Archbishop Stephen Brislin (Archbishop of Cape Town and President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference) was the principal celebrant, accompanied by more than 10 Bishops (including the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Peter Wells) and many of the priests and deacons of the Archdiocese of Cape Town. Religious Orders and Congregations were honoured in a special way for their role in building up the local Church. Below are some pictures of the event.
The Choir prepares
Special Bi-centennial candles on display in the side chapel
A gathering of Religious/Consecrated Persons bearing symbols of their Order or Congregation
A presentation of symbols of individual Orders and Congregations
A presentation of symbols of individual Orders and Congregations
A presentation of symbols of individual Orders and Congregations
A presentation of symbols of individual Orders and Congregations
A presentation of symbols of individual Orders and Congregations
A presentation of symbols of individual Orders and Congregations
A presentation of symbols of individual Orders and Congregations
A presentation of symbols of individual Orders and Congregations
Entrance Procession
Lighting of Incense
Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Peter Wells delivers a message from Pope Francis
Altar servers at the Mass
Readers and Cantor
Singing and dancing accompanied the presentation of the Word
Singing and dancing accompanied the presentation of the Word
Singing and dancing accompanied the presentation of the Word
Archbishop Brislin raises the Book of the Gospels
Deacon Shaun Addinall reads the Gospel
Archbishop Brislin delivers the homily
Bidding Prayers
Presentation of the Gifts
Four of Cape Town’s angelic-looking seminarians
Archbishop Brislin blesses the special celebration candles which will be used in dioceses around the country
Archbishop Brislin blesses the special celebration candles which will be used in dioceses around the country
Priests of the Archdiocese and a part of the congregation
The Bishops begin to process out the Cathedral at the end of Mass
The Bishops process out the Cathedral
The Bishops process out the Cathedral
Tea and eats in the Cathedral hall after Mass