It’s Thursday, and the last day of the pilgrimage. We are homeward bound! An earlier Mass of 9.30am will lead into the final visit to the Holy House, as we thank God for all the blessings we have received through the Intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
As set our face towards home, we give thanks for St David and the Saints of Wales who have lived and moved where we dwell and who have filled and formed our landscape with prayer and praise of God.
Mass of St David and all the Saints of Wales
Below you will find the hymns, readings and psalm response for the Mass. You can find the Order of the Mass here, which opens in a separate tab.
Entrance Hymn Lord, who in thy perfect wisdom times and seasons dost arrange, working out thy changeless purpose in a world of ceaseless change: thou didst form our ancient nation, guiding it through all the days, to unfold in it thy purpose to thy glory and thy praise. To our shores remote, benighted, barrier of the western waves, tidings in thy love thou sentest, tidings of the cross that saves. Saints and heroes strove and suffered here thy gospel to proclaim; we, the heirs of their endeavour, tell the honour of their name. Lord, we hold in veneration all the saints our land has known bishops, priests, confessors, martyrs standing now around thy throne: Dewi, Dyfrig, Deniol, Teilo - all the gallant saintly band who of old by prayer and labour hallowed all our fatherland Still thine ancient purpose standeth every change and chance above; still Thine ancient Church remaineth, witness to thy changeless love. Grant us vision, Lord, and courage to fulfil Thy work begun; in the Church and in the nation, King of kings, thy will be done. First Reading (Philippians 3:8-14) I believe nothing can happen that will outweigh the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For him I have accepted the loss of everything, and I look on everything as so much rubbish if only I can have Christ and be given a place in him. I am no longer trying for perfection by my own efforts, the perfection that comes from the Law, but I want only the perfection that comes through faith in Christ, and is from God and based on faith. All I want is to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and to share his sufferings by reproducing the pattern of his death. That is the way I can hope to take my place in the resurrection of the dead. Not that I have become perfect yet: I have not yet won, but I am still running, trying to capture the prize for which Christ Jesus captured me. I can assure you my brothers, I am far from thinking that I have already won. All I can say is that I forget the past and I strain ahead for what is still to come; I am racing for the finish, for the prize to which God calls us upwards to receive in Christ Jesus. Responsorial Psalm Response: Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord. Hymn for the Preparation of the Gifts Jerusalem the golden, with milk and honey blest, beneath thy contemplation sink heart and voice oppressed: I know not, oh, I know not, what joys await us there; what radiancy of glory, what bliss beyond compare! They stand, those halls of Zion, all jubilant with song, and bright with many an angel, and all the martyr throng: the Prince is ever in them, the daylight is serene; the pastures of the blessèd are decked in glorious sheen. There is the throne of David; and there, from care released, the shout of them that triumph, the song of them that feast; and they who with their Leader have conquered in the fight, for ever and for ever are clad in robes of white. Oh, sweet and blessèd country, the home of God's elect! Oh, sweet and blessèd country, that eager hearts expect! Jesus, in mercy bring us to that dear land of rest, who art, with God the Father, and the Spirit, ever blest. Hymn during Communion I hear thy welcome voice, That calls me, Lord, to thee, For cleansing in thy precious Blood that flowed on Calvary I am coming, Lord! Coming now to thee! Wash me, cleanse me, in the Blood That flowed on Calvary. ‘Tis Jesus calls me on To perfect faith and love, To perfect hope and peace and trust For earth and heaven above. ‘Tis Jesus who confirms The blessed work within, By adding grace to welcomed grace, Where reigned the power of sin. All hail, atoning Blood! All hail, redeeming grace, All hail, the gift of Christ our Lord, our Strength and Righteousness. Recessional Hymn O Great Saint David, still we hear thee call us, unto a life that knows no fear of death; yea, down the ages, will thy words enthral us, strong happy words: ‘Be joyful, keep the faith.’ On Cambria’s sons stretch out thy hands in blessing for our dear land thy help we now implore. Lead us to God, with humble hearts confessing Jesus, Lord and King for evermore. Christ was the centre rock of all thy teaching, God’s holy will – the splendour of its theme. His grace informed, his love inflamed thy preaching; Christ’s sway on earth, the substance of thy dream. On Cambria’s sons stretch out thy hands in blessing for our dear land thy help we now implore. Lead us to God, with humble hearts confessing Jesus, Lord and King for evermore. In early childhood, choosing Jesus only, thy fervour showed his yoke was light and sweet! And thus for thee, life’s journey was not lonely, the path made plain by prints of wounded feet. LAST VISIT TO THE HOLY HOUSE All turn to face the Holy House, as we say together: Now Lord you have kept your word Let your servant go in peace. With my own eyes I have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people; a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen. Prayer to Our Lady of Walsingham O Mary, recall the solemn moment when Jesus, your divine Son, dying on the cross, confided us to your maternal care. You are our Mother; we desire ever to remain your devout children. Let us therefore feel the effects of your powerful intercession with Jesus Christ. Make your name again glorious in this place, once renowned throughout our land by your visits, favours and many miracles. Pray, O Holy Mother of God, for the conversion of England and Wales, restoration of the sick, consolation for the afflicted, repentance of sinners, peace to the departed. O Blessed Mary, Mother of God, Our Lady of Walsingham, intercede for us. Amen. Let us thank God for all the blessings of our Pilgrimage and ask Our Lady of Walsingham to pray for us as we return to our daily lives: O Mary, Mother of Jesus, I thank God through your Son, for the grace of a happy pilgrimage, and for all that has happened to me while I have been here. Pray for all those I have met here and for all my fellow pilgrims. Pray that I may have a safe and happy return home, and that God may give me the grace to do at home what you have taught me to do here. Lord Jesus, hear us. Our Lady of Walsingham, pray for us. St Joseph, pray for us. Holy Family of England’s Nazareth Protect us who hope and trust in you. Dear Mother of our Saviour Christ we hail thee, and depart. Our pilgrimage is now complete, we leave petitions at thy feet Enfold them in thy heart Be with us as we journey home Mother of God, we pray. Make us to love thy blessed Son and may his holy will be done in duty day by day. O holy house of Walsingham! Here would we ever dwell but Jesus calls us to the strife and tumults of our daily life Our Lady’s Shrine, “Farewell” Let us go in the peace of Christ. Thanks be to God.
Enter the Mystery 