Light in the darkness - 27/10/22

The commemoration of the Faithful Departed on All Souls’ Day (as part of a requiem at 18.30 in the case of Lancaster Priory) and the Feast of All Saints’ both celebrate this mutual belonging.  We do not just remember the ‘famous’ saints (like Saint Mary the Virgin) but we also remember those closer to us.  We remember with thanksgiving before God those whom we have known more directly: those who gave us life, or who nurtured us in faith.

A few short days later we will remember Guy Fawkes (Remember, Remember the 5th of November!) and his plot against parliament in the 17th Century.  Whilst we remember the corruption of power that leads to protest, we recall that not all acts of protest are peaceful or have been responded to in a non-violent way.  So we pray for all of those who protest in our own time – those who stand up for poverty, inclusion, the environment, fair wages and workers rights. We pray that their protests would shine a light that brings justice and peace.

Our contemporary celebrations of this season have evolved in my own lifetime to be more about Festivals of Light.  Light Up Lancaster promises a feast of its own kind – championing the technical and artistic skills of the local community, the north-west and the wider country whilst celebrating the architecture of Lancaster.  We are very much looking forward to seeing the light art around our beautiful city and inside our beloved Priory.

There is much to give thanks to God for this week and you would be most welcome to join us at the Priory as we do just that in our services.  If you’re finding the darkness overwhelming, you will always find a listening ear and a place to light candles in church.

I hope and pray that as the dark nights draw closer, you too will find light, life and hope.