St Paul begins his first letter to Timothy: "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour."
We have a duty then to pray for The King as he approaches the day when he will be anointed and crowned.
The first ever evening Mass in St Wilfrid's Church was celebrated on 1st June 1953, on the vigil of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Once again we shall come together to pray for our new Sovereign, on the vigil of the Coronation: this Friday, 5th May 2023, at 6pm.
From Wednesday-Friday there will be a Triduum of prayer for the King after every Mass.
The music for the Friday 6pm Mass is especially chosen: a Mass setting by the English composer William Byrd (1540-1623), I was glad by Hubert Parry, and Zadok the Priest by Handel. All of these will also be heard at the Coronation - although we published our music list first!
On Sunday 7th May, the Prayer for the King will be said or sung after all Masses, along with the National Anthem at sung Masses.
At St Joseph's there will be a Coronation Party after the 9.30am Sunday Mass.
