Cardinal Vincent Nichols celebrates Mass for the Feast of Corpus Christi live from Westminster Cathedral. For countless believers unable to get to church, a live celebration of Mass is of the greatest importance, especially on this feast celebrating the Real Presence of the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ in the elements of the Eucharist.
Whilst some Catholic churches have been streaming masses on the internet, this will be the first live radio broadcast, and the first radio outside broadcast of a church service in the UK, since the lockdown.
Whilst social distancing rules prevent churches from opening, the service will take place behind closed doors and with no congregation present, apart from concelebrant, Fr Daniel Humphreys, and a single reader – all socially distanced.
The music for the mass will be played from recordings from a BBC studio so listeners will be able to experience the music of the Mass in context.
The Gloria, Sanctus and Benedictus will be sung to a setting “Ave Regina Caelorum” by Victoria, recorded in 2004 by the Choir of Westminster Cathedral. The communion anthem – Byrd’s Ave verum corpus – will again be a recording from the choir’s extensive discography. The readings for the day are Deuteronomy 8:2-3,14-16 and John 6:51-58.
Live from 8:10am on Sunday, 14 June 2020 Listen: BBC Radio 4 Live