A Night of Service & Silent Adoration at the Cathedral

On the evening of Thursday 17 April 2025, the Cathedral Church of St John the Baptist in Norwich was filled with profound reverence and solemn beauty as the Diocese of East Anglia gathered to commemorate the Maundy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

The celebration was led by the Bishop Peter Collins and marked the beginning of the Sacred Paschal Triduum.

The Gospel reading for the liturgy was taken from the holy Gospel according to John (John 13:1–15), recounting the moment before the Passover when Jesus, knowing that His hour had come, rose from supper and, in an extraordinary act of humility, began to wash the feet of His disciples. This passage, so rich in meaning, reveals Christ’s love “to the end” and sets an example of selfless service that resounds through the centuries.

In his Homily, Bishop Peter reflected on the significance of that moment. He spoke of how Jesus, fully aware of the betrayal already in motion and the immense suffering that lay ahead, did not retreat. “With His hour upon Him,” the Bishop said, “Christ proceeded regardless of the consequences. He did not turn away. Instead, He bent down in humility and washed the feet of His disciples. That same act of service, I will now undertake here today.”

Immediately following the Homily, the sacred rite of the Washing of the Feet took place. Those members of the faithful who had been chosen came forward and took their seats before the altar. Bishop Peter, removing his chasuble in a gesture of simplicity and humility, moved from person to person. Assisted by his ministers, he poured water over each pair of feet, dried them with a towel, and reverently kissed them.

It was a moment of deep spiritual resonance — visibly embodying the call to servanthood and love that lies at the heart of the Christian vocation. The stillness in the Cathedral, the attentive silence of the congregation, and the gentle solemnity of the Bishop’s actions invited all present to a renewed sense of devotion and discipleship.

As the Mass drew to a close, the focus shifted to the Transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Representing the Lord’s journey to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray through the night, the Blessed Sacrament was solemnly processed from the high altar to the Altar of Repose in one of the Cathedral’s side chapels.

Led by torchlight and accompanied by the haunting beauty of the hymn Pange lingua, the procession moved through the congregation with reverent pace. Upon reaching the place of repose, Bishop Peter placed the ciborium in the tabernacle, leaving its door open, symbolising the watchfulness of that night. He then placed incense into the thurible and, kneeling, incensed the Blessed Sacrament as the final verses of the hymn were sung.

A period of silent adoration followed. The door to the tabernacle was eventually closed and locked, and the ministers withdrew in silence, leaving the faithful to watch and pray.

All were encouraged to remain for as long as they were able, to be present with the Lord in His hour of need, recalling His words in Gethsemane: “Could you not watch with me one hour?” The Cathedral remained open for silent prayer until Compline (Night Prayer) at 11.45pm, drawing to a close a deeply moving liturgy and marking the beginning of the Church’s most sacred days.

Photographs from the Mass can be viewed here. 

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