Epiphany Mass Shines at St John’s Cathedral

The Diocese of East Anglia joyfully marked the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord yesterday with a well-attended Mass at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Norwich.

Despite sub-freezing temperatures, the faithful gathered warmly at the 10:00 celebration, which was reverently led by Bishop Peter Collins. The beauty of the liturgy, combined with the devotion shown by those in attendance, made the celebration a particularly uplifting start to the new year.

The first reading, Isaiah 60:1–6, set a radiant tone for the celebration. “Arise, shine out, your light has come” resonates deeply with the Epiphany’s central message: the manifestation of God’s glory to all nations. Isaiah’s vision of Jerusalem glowing with the presence of the Lord, drawing distant peoples and kings, mirrors the spiritual journey the Church recalls on this feast. It foreshadows the coming of Christ, the true light who dispels darkness. For those present at the cathedral, the reading served as a powerful reminder that Christ’s light continues to shine into the world’s shadows, calling all to hope and renewal.

The second reading, from Ephesians 3:2–3, 5–6, reflects on the revelation of God’s plan, once hidden but now made known through Christ. St Paul’s emphasis that Gentiles too share the same inheritance speaks directly to the universal scope of salvation celebrated at Epiphany. The visitors from the East who sought the newborn Christ symbolise this profound truth: that he came not for one people only, but for all humanity. Paul’s words encouraged the congregation to recognise their own role in embracing and proclaiming this inclusive love, especially at the start of a new year of faith and mission.

The Gospel reading from Matthew 2:1–12 recounts the journey of the wise men to Bethlehem, one of the most cherished passages in Scripture. Bishop Peter Collins reflected on their perseverance and openness, as they followed the star with trust, undeterred by uncertainty. Their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh testify to their recognition of Christ’s kingship, divinity and future sacrifice. In the context of the Mass, the Gospel invited all present to consider the guiding lights that God places in their own lives, moments of grace and inspiration that draw them closer to Christ.

Although the morning air was sharply cold, the atmosphere within the cathedral was one of warmth and unity. The beauty of the music, the reverence of the liturgy and the joy shared among those gathered contributed to a heartfelt celebration worthy of this great feast. The presence of visitors and long-standing parish members testified to the enduring importance of this solemnity in the life of the diocese.

The Mass for the Epiphany of the Lord not only commemorated the revelation of Christ to the nations but also renewed the call for all believers to be bearers of his light. As the faithful left the cathedral and stepped back into the wintry Norwich morning, many did so with renewed purpose, resolved, like the wise men, to follow the path that leads to Christ and to make his presence known in the world.

Photographs from the Mass can be viewed here.

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