Hundreds of people gathered at the ruins of Cymer Abbey near Dolgellau in Wales on Sunday for a Mass in honour of St John Roberts.
The special open-air Mass was planned as part of a series of events commemorating St John Roberts, and had received the blessing of Pope Benedict XVI. It was expected to be one of the largest open-air events to be held in Wales during 2010.
Three choirs, distinguished guests and the massed voices of up to 1,000 people were expected to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the martyrdom of one of Wales’s greatest religious figures. With over 600 temporary seats already in the grounds, more and more people arrived with deck chairs and picnics in hand, chatting in the afternoon sun while the choir, bishops, monks and priests prepared for the Mass.
Lord (Dafydd) Elis Thomas, the chief of the Welsh Assembly, said: “By celebrating our religious heritage, we recognise also the unfortunate divisions and prejudices that lie within religions both in the past and in the present age. I am hopeful that we can come together in prayer and hope for greater understanding between communities.”
Having been unable to sell in churches for well over a year due to the pandemic, we are now inviting readers to support the Herald by investing in our future. We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values.
Please join us on our 130 year mission by supporting us. We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching. For more information from our chairman on contributing to the Herald Patron's Fund, click here
Make a Donation
Processing ...
Donors giving £500 or more will automatically become sponsor patrons of the Herald. This includes two complimentary print/digital gift subscriptions, invitations to Patron events, pilgrimages and dinners, and 6 gift subscriptions sent to priests, seminaries, Catholic schools, religious care homes and prison and university chaplaincies. Click here for more information on becoming a Patron Sponsor. Click here for more information about contributing to the Herald Patron's Fund