Deanery of St Edward Unites for Lenten Station Mass

St Mary’s Church, Ipswich, was filled with prayer and joy on Tuesday, 25 March 2025, as parishioners from across the Deanery of St Edward gathered to celebrate the fourth of seven Lenten Station Masses taking place this Lent throughout the Diocese of East Anglia.

Presided over by the Right Reverend Peter Collins, Bishop of East Anglia, and co-celebrated by clergy from across the deanery, the evening’s Mass held particular significance as it coincided with the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, a key feast in the Church’s liturgical calendar.

From 6pm, parishioners were invited to enter into a time of quiet reflection and reconciliation, with the Sacrament of Confession available alongside exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. This period of prayerful preparation paved the way for the 7pm Mass, which was met with a full church and a deep sense of spiritual anticipation.

The celebration of the Annunciation invites the faithful to reflect on the profound mystery of the Incarnation: the moment when the Word became flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As recounted in the Gospel of Luke (1:26–38), the Angel Gabriel’s appearance to Mary announces God’s plan for salvation. While often seen as a Marian solemnity, the Bishop reminded the congregation that the Annunciation is fundamentally Christological, as it marks the beginning of Christ’s earthly existence.

The Bishop took time during the liturgy to express his gratitude to the faithful for their recent prayers – both for the Holy Father, Pope Francis, who has now been discharged from hospital, and for the Bishop himself, who has made a strong recovery after a period of illness.

The music during the Mass was another highlight of the evening, uplifting and reverent, and helping to elevate the celebration with both solemnity and joy. The choral and instrumental offerings were carefully selected to reflect the Marian and Christological themes of the day, further enriching the liturgical experience for all present.

Following the Mass, the community gathered in the parish hall where an abundant selection of soups and bread rolls awaited, all lovingly prepared by parish volunteers. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, as parishioners shared not only food but also stories, laughter, and the companionship of faith.

It was a moment that truly embodied the spirit of Lent – marked by prayer, penitence, and almsgiving, yet also by communion, generosity, and the hope that springs from the Gospel.

As the Diocese continues its pilgrimage through Lent with the remaining three Station Masses, the gathering at St Mary’s stood as a shining testament to the vitality and unity of the Deanery of St Edward. Rooted in ancient tradition, the Lenten Station Masses offer the faithful a chance to step away from their individual parishes and unite as one diocesan family, praying together and journeying toward Easter.

Photographs from the Mass and soup buffet can be viewed here. 

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