Cardinal Vincent attended St James Catholic School in Twickenham for the official blessing of their new Pilgrim Hall, Prayer Garden and Stations of the Cross. The cardinal was welcomed into the school by the RE captains and then taken on a tour of their new facilities by the Headteacher Ms Clare Webber.
The blessing ceremony began with a introduction by school governor Nic Wiseman, and an explanation of the development of the prayer garden pilgrim hall and stations of the cross by Caitlin Phillips.
During the homily, Cardinal Vincent praised the work of the school and spoke to pupils about the Year of Mercy. He told the assembled pupils, teachers and parents that the most common phrase in the New Testament is ‘do not be afraid’ and that the Pilgrim Hall should always be a place a safety for them. He went on to say that God always asks us to get back up and ask for forgiveness, and this is why we should not be afraid.
After the ceremony, the cardinal processed to the garden, with its sculpture of open hand and then onto the Stations of the Cross on the outside walls of the Pilgrim Hall. The pictures were all designed by pupils at the school and were blessed by The Cardinal in the presence of the RE captains, Parish priests of the local area and teachers.
