Rt Rev Hugh Lindsay RIP - Funeral Mass at St Mary's Cathedral
Monday 2nd February: Funeral Mass and Burial in the Cathedral Crypt
On 2nd February, the Feast of Candlemas, the Funeral Mass for Bishop Hugh Lindsay was celebrated in St Mary's Cathedral by Bishop Ambrose, many priests and a number of bishops from other dioceses. Extreme weather in many parts of the country prevented several other Bishops, including Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, from travelling to Newcastle for this Requiem Mass.
Ecumenical and Interfaith representatives and civic leaders were welcomed to the St Mary's Cathedral for the celebration.
The Funeral Mass for Bishop Hugh Lindsay in St Mary's Cathedral on 2nd February 2009
The cathedral was filled with people - family and friends of Bishop Hugh and many others whose lives in one way or another he had touched, and who had come to pay their respects. Bishop Hugh seemed to have quietly touched the hearts of so many people, and the cathedral was filled to overflowing.
The homily was given by Fr John Butters, and music was provided by the diocesan music group.
Listen to Homily by
Fr John Butters
(mp3 6Mb)
A solemn moment during the mass
The Cathedral was filled with people from the diocese and beyond
At the end of Mass the coffin was carried in procession to the cathedral crypt, for the Rite of Committal and, after prayers, the coffin was lowered into the crypt.
"May we who mourn be reunited one day with Hugh; together may we meet Christ Jesus when he who is our life appears in glory." (Prayer from the Rite)
The crypt was built in 1844 and Bishop Kevin Dunn, who died March 1st 2008 is buried there, as also are Bishop Riddell and Fr William Fletcher (1847-1848).
Procession to the crypt
Prayers outside the crypt
Final Blessing of the coffin
Lowering the coffin into the crypt
Lord, rock of our hearts,
from a sea swept island
you sent Aidan and Cuthbert
to sow your Word fruitfully
throughout our Northern land and
you inspired Bede to understand
and speak your truth
reflected in our lives and in our history.
You called your servant, Hugh,
to follow them
and you granted him
a rich share in this heritage.
Lead him now,
in the gentleness of your grace,
to the peace of your kingdom
and the fullness of your love.
adapted from a prayer composed by
Kevin Nichols (1929-2006)
priest-poet of St Mary's Cathedral