Easter Joy at a Packed Cathedral

Published by Charlie Bohan-Hurst on April 5, 2026

The celebration of Easter Sunday on 5 April was marked with great solemnity and joy across the Diocese of East Anglia, reaching its pinnacle at the Solemn Mass led by Bishop Peter Collins at the Cathedral.

The occasion drew an extraordinary congregation, with the Cathedral filled to capacity and many of the faithful standing throughout the liturgy, a powerful testament to the enduring faith and devotion of the people.

The liturgy of the Word set a profound tone for the celebration of the Resurrection. The first reading, from Acts of the Apostles (10:34a, 37–43), proclaimed Peter’s bold witness to the risen Christ. Speaking to Cornelius and his household, Peter affirms that Jesus, who was crucified, has been raised by God and is now revealed to chosen witnesses. This passage underscores the universal call to faith, reminding the faithful that the message of salvation is offered to all, without distinction.

The second reading, from St Paul’s Letter to the Colossians (3:1–4), invited the congregation to “seek the things that are above, where Christ is.” In the light of the Resurrection, believers are called to a transformed life, one rooted not in earthly concerns but in the new life won through Christ’s victory over death. This reading speaks directly to the heart of Easter, that through Christ’s rising, we too are raised to a new way of living.

The Gospel reading from John (20:1–9) recounted the discovery of the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene, followed by Peter and the beloved disciple, encounters the first signs of the Resurrection. The quiet yet profound detail, “he saw and he believed,” captures the moment when faith begins to dawn in the hearts of the disciples. It is a reminder that Easter faith often begins not with full understanding but with a trust born of encounter.

In his homily, Bishop Peter Collins reflected on these readings with clarity and pastoral warmth. So great was the congregation that he was compelled to step away from the altar in order to be seen and heard by all. This simple yet striking gesture embodied the spirit of the day, a shepherd reaching out to his flock and ensuring that all could share in the proclamation of the Resurrection.

Following the homily, the renewal of baptismal promises provided a deeply meaningful moment of communal affirmation. The faithful renounced sin and professed their faith anew, recalling their own participation in Christ’s death and Resurrection through Baptism. The sprinkling with blessed water served as a tangible reminder of this new life, drawing the congregation into a shared experience of renewal and grace.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist was particularly moving, especially given the sheer number of those present. The reverent and prayerful reception of Holy Communion highlighted the unity of the gathered faithful, all coming forward to share in the Body of Christ, the sacrament of the Risen Lord. Despite the crowded conditions, there was a palpable sense of peace and devotion.

This Easter Sunday Mass brought to a close a solemn and deeply moving Holy Week across the Diocese of East Anglia. From the liturgies of the Triduum to the joy of the Resurrection, the faithful journeyed together through the mystery of Christ’s Passion, death, and rising. The packed Cathedral on Easter morning stood as a visible sign of that shared journey and of the living faith that continues to flourish within the diocese.

As the final blessing was given and the congregation dispersed, there remained a strong sense that the message of Easter, of hope, renewal, and new life, had been not only proclaimed but truly encountered. In the words of the Gospel, many had come, seen, and believed.

Photographs from the Easter Sunday Solemn Mass can be viewed here.