Guests from Douai, Diocese of Cambrai

On Monday, 8 September, a group of priests from France visited the Cathedral, concelebrated Mass and were welcomed by the Adminsitrator and the Chaplains. They were accompanied by two monks from Douai Abbey in England and joined us for lunch at Clergy House. It was a happy occasion as there is a good link between Westminster and Douai. It was in that town that English priests were trained and prepared for the mission in this country - many being subsequently martyred. The body of Saint John Southworth was discovered during road building works in the 1920s. Our guests were delighted to be shown the shrine of the saint in the Cathedral, as there is a commemorative shrine to St John in the main parish church of Douai.