On this day, with permission of the Archbishop of Birmingham, we celebrate our patronal feast, St Birinus, our own apostle to Wessex.
This will be the most significant event of the whole festival. All choirs, singers, course participants, musical instruments and ensembles will be involved in this glorious celebration of our patron saint.
In this abbey that was once filled with the sound of monks singing plainchant, we welcome the monks of the abbey of Farnborough and its titular abbot, Dom Cuthbert Brogan, who will celebrate the pontifical Mass at the faldstool.
When Mass is finished, we will solemnly process from the Abbey to St Birinus with the relics and icon of St Birinus, where a special blessing will be given.
The music will be directed by Ryan Wigglesworth, and will include the Gregorian Chant of the day, as well as:
Tomás Luis de Victoria Missa Laetatus Sum
Alonso Lobo Ave Maria
Diego de Brucena Amavit Eum
João Lourenço Rebelo Panis Angelicus
Bernadino de Ribera Dimitte Me Ergo
At the end of Mass, with great solemnity the Abbot and clergy will take the holy icon of St Birinus in procession, along with all musicians and the great throng of faithful through the streets of Dorchester to its home at the church of St Birinus.
The abbot will then give a special blessing to all present, and there will be a drinks reception and picnic lunch on the lawn at St Birinus church.
