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Please note:

This script cannot exactly reflect the transmission, as it was prepared before the service was broadcast. It may include editorial notes prepared by the producer, and minor spelling and other errors that were corrected before the radio broadcast.

It may contain gaps to be filled in at the time so that prayers may reflect the needs of the world, and changes may also be made at the last minute for timing reasons, or to reflect current events.

ã€¶Ä ã€¶Ä Radio 4 Opening Announcement: ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4. Now it’s time to go live to Leeds Cathedral for today’s Sunday Worship which is a Mass for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. The Celebrant is the Dean, Monsignor Philip Moger, and the service begins with the hymn ‘Immortal, invisible, God only wise.’ Hymn

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

Sign of the Cross at the Chair (north side of the sanctuary) Mgr Moger: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. All: Amen. Greeting at the Chair (north side of the sanctuary) Mgr Moger: The Lord be with you. All: And with your spirit. Welcome and Introduction at the Chair (north side of the sanctuary) Mgr Moger:

A warm welcome to Leeds Cathedral, to all of you who are listening on Radio 4. Forty days have passed since we celebrated the joyful feast of Christmas.

Today’s celebration [Mass sung to the music of Arvo Pärt] marks the day

when Jesus was presented in the Temple by Mary and Joseph.

Prompted by the Holy Spirit,

Simeon and Anna came to the Temple.

Enlightened by the same Spirit,

they recognized the Lord

and praised him with joy.

In a moment, we shall bless lighted candles, as a reminder that Jesus is the light which enlightens every person.

In the house of God

we shall find Jesus

and recognize him in the breaking of the bread,

until he comes again, revealed in glory.

After the Welcome and Introduction, Mgr Moger blesses the candles, saying the following prayer, with hands extended and then Mgr Moger sprinkles the candles held by Fr Habron and Deacon John with holy water (held by the altar server).

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Mgr Moger:

O God, true light, who creates light eternal,

spreading it far and wide,

pour, we pray, into the hearts of the faithful

the brilliance of perpetual light,

so that all who are brightened in your holy temple

by the splendour of these candles

may happily reach the light of your glory.

Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen. Gloria (Pärt)

Glória in excélsis Deo

ã€¶Ä ã€¶Ä Collect at the Chair (north side of the sanctuary) ã€¶Ä Mgr Moger: Let us pray. After a brief pause, Mgr Moger continues:

Almighty ever-living God,

we humbly implore your majesty

that, just as your Only Begotten Son

was presented on this day in the Temple

in the substance of our flesh,

so, by your grace,

we may be presented to you with minds made pure.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

All: Amen. Everyone sits. The Liturgy of the Word The First Reading at the Ambo/Lectern(south side of the sanctuary) read by Miss Danielle Graham. A reading from the prophet Malachi (3:1-4)

The Lord God says this: Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple; and the angel of the covenant whom you are longing for, yes, he is coming, says the Lord of Hosts. Who will be able to resist the day of his coming? Who will remain standing when he appears? For he is like the refiner’s fire and the fullers’ alkali. He will take his seat as refiner and purifier; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and then they will make the offering to the Lord as it should be made. The offering of Judah and Jerusalem will then be welcomed by the Lord as in former days, as in the years of old.

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God. The reader returns to her place . Responsorial Psalm sung by the choir/cantor Psalm 23:7-10

Choir/cantor sings the Response: Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory. All repeat the Response: Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory.

Choir/cantor sings the verses: O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory! All sing the response: Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory. Who is the king of glory? The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, the Lord, the valiant in war. All sing the response: Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory. O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory! All sing the response: Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory. Who is he, the king of glory? He, the Lord of armies, he is the king of glory. All sing the response: Who is the king of glory? He, the Lord, he is the king of glory. Everyone stands. Gospel Acclamation sung by the choir/cantor Lk2:32 Alleluia, alleluia! The light to enlighten the Gentiles and give glory to Israel, your people. Alleluia! ã€¶Ä ã€¶Ä Gospel at the Ambo/Lectern(south side of the sanctuary) read by Deacon John Lythe

Deacon: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

Deacon: A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke (2:22-32)

All: Glory to you, O Lord.

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When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord〶Ä– observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord〶Ä– and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:

‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,

just as you promised;

because my eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared for all the nations to see,

a light to enlighten the pagans

and the glory of your people Israel.’

Deacon: The gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia repeated by the choir/cantor. Deacon John Lythe returns to his seat on the north side of the sanctuary.

Everyone sits.

Homily at the Ambo/Lectern(south side of the sanctuary) Fr. Matthew Habron:

As the dawn broke and the sun rose on Christmas morning, we gave our gifts to family and friends, to express our joy at the birth of Jesus - our joy that out of love for the world, God had come to live among us!

This morning, as the dawn breaks and the sun begins to rise, we have gathered to celebrate the day when Jesus was taken in the arms of his mother Mary, joined by her husband Joseph, to the Temple in Jerusalem. There, to carry out the Law of Moses, they presented their son to God and by doing so the prophecy of Malachi was fulfilled: "And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple". The ritual of making a sacrifice to God, in the case of Mary and Joseph of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons", for the "first-born male" was a memorial of how the Lord had delivered the people of Israel from their captivity in Egypt, as recorded in the book of Exodus. However, in St Luke’s account of what took place forty days after the birth of Jesus, we discover the language of offering and presenting, rather than of redeeming. In his book on the Infancy Narratives, Pope Benedict XVI commenting on this passage wrote: "Here, in the place of encounter between God and his people [in the Temple], instead of the reclamation of the first-born, what happens is that Jesus is publicly handed over to God, his Father" (p.83)"

In this act of offering, of handing over, in presenting and giving their child to God, the Gospel of St Luke recalls how Jesus is revealed, by the upright and devout Simeon, as "the light to enlighten the nations". This is commemorated in the many processions with lighted candles that take place at the Masses here in the Cathedral today, and indeed in churches throughout the world; processions which historically began in the fifth century in Jerusalem, recalling the meeting between Christ and Simeon, and a reminder that in carrying a burning candle in procession is to take part in the light of Christ.

As Christians, today’s feast is an invitation for us to renew our own dedication to God; recalling the day of our baptism, when we began sharing in the mission of Jesus, to be a light in the world, shining with the gift of the love of God. On that day, the parents and godparents of the newly baptised were presented with a lighted candle, accompanied with the words: "Receive the light of Christ". Yet, how do we, as Christians, bring this light into the lives of others, which we have received? First, and foremost, we need to accept this light of faith for ourselves, and to allow it to teach us to see all things with the eyes of Jesus. With the path of daily life illumined by the light of faith, our actions and words enhance and enrich our human relationships in the service of justice and peace. The encounter with Jesus, the light of the world, gives the courage and the strength to go to the aid of the poor and the vulnerable – the homeless, the addicted, refugees, the elderly, migrants, the unborn – reflecting in daily life the light and warmth of the love of God.

May our prayer to God be that everything we are, and everything we do, be guided by this light! Like Simeon, may we take this light – this gift of God’s love - into our arms! Let us carry into the lives of our families, our friends and those we meet, the love of God, that forty days ago on Christmas morning, we awoke to rejoice had come to live among us. Amen.

Fr Habron returns to his place.

Everyone stands.

Creed at the Chair (north side of the sanctuary) Mgr Moger: I believe in God, All: the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, At the words that follow, up to and including ‘the Virgin Mary’, all bow. who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. Prayer of the Faithful Mgr Moger introduces the Prayer at the Chair (north side of the sanctuary), as follows:

As the Child Jesus was presented in the Temple, so we now present our needs for the Church and world to God.

The reader standing at the ambo/lectern reads the intentions; at the end of each intention the Cantor sings: Let us pray to the Lord. All: Lord, hear our prayer.

For the Church: may all who preach the Gospel of Christ faithfully carry the light of faith into the lives of all people.

PAUSE Cantor:〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶ÄLet us pray to the Lord. All: Lord, hear our prayer.

For peace in our troubled world and especially in〶ÄSyria: may those who govern be inspired to work unceasingly for peace and justice, and may we be committed to a genuine love of neighbour:〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä

PAUSE Cantor:〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶ÄLet us pray to the Lord. All: Lord, hear our prayer.

〶Ä

For families: may they be given love and strength as they care for each other;〶Ä〶Äã€¶Ä may they find courage to persevere when things are difficult and give thanks when things go well:〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä

PAUSE Cantor:〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶ÄLet us pray to the Lord. All: Lord, hear our prayer. 〶Ä

For ourselves: may everything we do and say in this coming week, be guided by Christ, the Light of the Nations:〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä

PAUSE Cantor:〶Ä〶Ä〶Ä〶ÄLet us pray to the Lord. All: Lord, hear our prayer. ã€¶Ä After the final Lord, hear our prayer, Mgr Moger concludes the Prayer at the Chair (north side of the sanctuary), as follows:

Lord, your light continues to shine in our world and in our lives.

Make us faithful to that light,

and enable us to lead all people to your Son, the Light of the World.

Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

All: Amen. After the Amen, the reader returns to her place, and all sit. The offertory hymn begins. The Liturgy of the Eucharist Mgr Moger and Deacon John Lythe move to behind the altar. The altar server brings a tray with the gifts (bread and wine), and Mgr Moger offers the gifts of bread and wine silently; he then washes his hands. Offertory Hymn

Hail to the Lord’s anointed, great David’s greater Son!

At the end of the hymn, all stand, and Mgr Moger standing behind the altar says:

Mgr Moger: Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be

acceptable to God, the almighty Father.

All: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.

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Prayer over the Offerings standing behind the altar: ã€¶Ä ã€¶Ä Mgr Moger:

May the offering made with exultation by your Church

be pleasing to you, O Lord, we pray,

for you willed that your Only Begotten Son

be offered to you for the life of the world

as the Lamb without blemish.

Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

All: Amen. Fr Matthew Habron steps forward from his place and stands near the altar. Mgr Moger then sings the Preface standing behind the altar:

Mgr Moger: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

Mgr Moger: Lift up your hearts.

All: We lift them up to the Lord.

Mgr Moger: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All: It is right and just.

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,

always and everywhere to give you thanks,

Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.

For your co-eternal Son was presented on this day in

the Temple

and revealed by the Spirit

as the glory of Israel and Light of the nations.

And so, we, too, go forth, rejoicing to encounter your Salvation,

and with the Angels and Saints

praise you, as without end we acclaim:

ã€¶Ä ã€¶Ä Sanctus (Pärt): Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dóminus Deus Sábaoth.

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At the end of the Sanctus, the congregation kneels. Mgr Moger alone recites:

You are indeed Holy, O Lord,

the fount of all holiness.

Mgr Moger who continues aloud, is joined by Fr M Habron who speaks quietly. As Mgr Moger and Fr Habron stretch out their hands over the gifts, the altar server rings a bell.

Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray,

by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall,

so that they may become for us

the Body and ✠ Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

At the time he was betrayed

and entered willingly into his Passion,

he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it,

and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and eat of it,

for this is my body,

which will be given up for you.

As the Host is elevated, the altar server rings a bell. Mgr Moger genuflects and continues aloud, with Fr M Habron who speaks quietly:

In a similar way, when supper was ended,

he took the chalice

and, once more giving thanks,

he gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take this, all of you, and drink from it,

for this is the chalice of my Blood,

the Blood of the new and eternal covenant,

which will be poured out for you and for many

for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this in memory of me.

As the Chalice is elevated, the altar server rings a bell. Mgr Moger genuflects and continues, by singing:

〶Ä

The mystery of faith.

ã€¶Ä The people continue, singing: All: When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again. Mgr Moger continues aloud, with Fr M Habron who speaks quietly:

Therefore, as we celebrate

the memorial of his Death and Resurrection,

we offer you, Lord,

the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation,

giving thanks that you have held us worthy

to be in your presence and minister to you.

Humbly we pray

that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ,

we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.

Fr M Habron continues alone, by saying aloud:

Remember, Lord, your Church,

spread throughout the world,

and bring her to the fullness of charity,

together with Francis our Pope,

and all the clergy.

Remember also our brothers and sisters

who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection,

and all who have died in your mercy:

welcome them into the light of your face.

Have mercy on us all, we pray,

that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,

with blessed Joseph, her Spouse,

with the blessed Apostles,

and all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages,

we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life,

and may praise and glorify you

through your Son, Jesus Christ.

Mgr Moger sings aloud, with Fr M Habron who sings quietly:

Through him, and with him, and in him,

O God, almighty Father,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all glory and honour is yours,

for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

The congregation stands.

ã€¶Ä The Communion Rite The Lord’s Prayer from behind the altar, Mgr Moger says:

At the Saviour’s command

and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

Together with the people, Mgr Moger continues: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Mgr Moger alone continues, saying:

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,

graciously grant peace in our days,

that, by the help of your mercy,

we may be always free from sin

and safe from all distress,

as we await the blessed hope

and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

ã€¶Ä All: For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever.

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Mgr Moger alone says aloud:

Lord Jesus Christ,

who said to your Apostles:

Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,

look not on our sins,

but on the faith of your Church,

and graciously grant her peace and unity

in accordance with your will.

Who live and reign for ever and ever.

All: Amen.

〶Ä

Mgr Moger: The peace of the Lord be with you always. All: And with your spirit.

Deacon John Lythe: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

Mgr Moger offers the sign of peace to Deacon John Lythe, Fr Matthew Habron and the altar server, Daniel Roberts. Agnus Dei (Pärt) Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi: miserére nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi: miserére nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi: dona nobis pacem. Invitation to Holy Communion from behind the altar, Mgr Moger holding the broken Host over the Chalice, says: Mgr Moger: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins

of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. Mgr Moger receives the Body and Blood of Christ. As Mgr Moger drinks from the Chalice, the altar server rings a bell. Mgr Moger then distributes Holy Communion to Deacon John Lythe and the altar server, Daniel Roberts, saying: The Body of Christ. Fr Matthew Habron distributes the Chalice by saying: The Blood of Christ. This takes place on the sanctuary. Hymn

Sweet Sacrament divine,〶Ä

Prayer after Communion at the Chair (north side of the sanctuary) Mgr Moger: Let us pray.

By these holy gifts which we have received, O Lord,

bring your grace to perfection within us,

and, as you fulfilled Simeon’s expectation

that he would not see death

until he had been privileged to welcome the Christ,

so may we, going forth to meet the Lord,

obtain the gift of eternal life.

Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen. The Concluding Rites at the Chair (north side of the sanctuary) Farewell Mgr Moger says:

Thank you for joining us at Leeds Cathedral for Mass on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. 〶ÄMay we all, doing good and avoiding evil, reach that light which never fails.

Blessing and Dismissal Mgr Moger: The Lord be with you. All: And with your spirit. Mgr Moger: May the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son

and the Holy Spirit + come down on you, all those you love

and remain with you for ever. 〶Ä

All: Amen. Deacon: Go in peace. All: Thanks be to God.

Mgr Moger, Deacon John Lythe, Fr Matthew Habron and altar server, remain on the sanctuary. The Congregation and Choir remain in their places.

Organ voluntary