The atmospheric setting for the annual Advent Procession service. St. Mary’s feels deep-rooted in the living wells of Christian tradition. It also is blessed with genuine candelabras.
With the electric lighting turned off except for the sanctuary and only the candelabras in the centre aisle lit night fall provides a genuine and intense darkness which is gradually but surely enlightened as candles all around the Cathedral are lit one by one, and finally the ligtht is shared with the congregation.
There is no sermon. The spreading of the warm light of the candles, the readings and the hymns all tell the story of hope and redemption on their own and need no help. A people broken, scattered and weighed down by crisis and disaster cry out to God in their pain and the words of hope and consolation come in response. The light grows and the darkness is driven back, hope is re-born in a darkning world. This is the story we tell as Christians, this is the word for our world, our land today.
“A voice says ‘Cry out! And I said ‘What shall I cry?’ All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; But the word of our God will stand forever.”
To view the photographs of the service go to:
• http://limerick.anglican.org/gallery.php?event_id=36