On Sunday 15 November, Old Edmundians convereged on Ware to commemorate the feast of their patron saint. Bishop John celebrated Mass at the College and joined past students and their families for a festive meal.
In his homily, Bishop John spoke of St Edmund's gentleness which characterised his life and work and has come to influence the ethos of the school where the 'development of the spiritual life is at the heart of an education'.
'By growth in virtue, the person who is gentle develops the capacity to see the world with the gaze of Jesus and the eyes of mercy,' he said.This is particularly apposite as we approach the Year of Mercy when 'we are invited to be merciful because we have been shown mercy by God.'
Bishop John also spoke about St Edmund's boldness and strength: 'He spoke the truth with gentleness and was not afraid to promote peace, reform ecclesiastical discipline and defend the rights of the Church against King Henry III. In so doing he entered into the way of the Cross in a union of both devotion and suffering.'
St Edmund's College is the former home of the diocesan seminary, at which time it was the successor to the seminary in Douai, which trained many priests who returned to England and were martyred for their faith. Looking at the long history and tradition of the College, Bishop John explained that the 'invitation on this Feast is to be merciful dicsiples of Jesus who speak the truth in love and witness, both to the long tradition of the martyr priests of Douai by holding firm in faith and to the gentle St Edmund in the midst of the fragility of life'.
(The full text of the homily can be found here.)
The following day, students held their own celebrations of the College's patronal feast day.
