Lichfield Cathedral at Night
This August bank holiday weekend Lichfield Cathedral will be opening its doors for specially extended opening hours on Saturday 29 and Monday 31 August during the day. Visitors will be invited to explore the Cathedral, the Close and to stop and enjoy a safely social-distanced picnic (weather-permitting).
The Cathedral is usually open for visitors from 13:30-16:30 daily, but during the bank holiday weekend its doors will be open from 10:30-16:30 (with a break at lunchtime for the 12:30 Eucharist service). On Saturday 29 in the evening, Lichfield Cathedral will also be open from 18:30-22:00 (last entry at 21:30 for Compline) for a special ‘Cathedral at Night’ event.
“Cathedral at Night is an opportunity for anyone who wishes to experience the wonder of the Cathedral “out of hours”. There is a lively hustle and bustle during the day, but the evening provides a special kind of tranquillity when the Cathedral speaks in different ways,” explains the Very Revd Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield.
During the evening visitors will be able to walk a meditative route around the ancient Cathedral at their own pace, experiencing a softly candle-lit space with ambient, contemplative music and opportunity to appreciate the spirituality of the place. There will be dedicated spaces for personal reflection and prayer, guided meditation and a place for offering concerns and thanksgiving.
The Dean continues, “As people experience the spiritual atmosphere of the Cathedral we hope that people feel a connection with deeper meanings and their deepest feelings. The aim of the night is to provide space to think about our own lives, to connect with one another and with God. We’d like lots of people to come and experience the Cathedral at this unique time.”
Visitors will be able to leave their mark in the Cathedral as they place a brightly coloured flower around the star in the Crossing of the Cathedral. The flowers will brighten the crossing with Summer blooms, creating a beautiful star-shaped carpet that becomes a picture of everyone’s presence and participation. Visitors will be encouraged to take a photo of themselves with the carpet of flowers to share on social media.
Similarly, visitors will be asked to “leave their mark” by placing a stone on a cairn, to represent their concerns or thanksgiving.
From 20.45 until 22.00 the West Front of the Cathedral will be specially illuminated thanks to Peter Walker, the Cathedral’s Artist-in-Residence.
The evening will end with Sung Compline at 21:30. Sung Compline is a monastic tradition of short prayers to ‘complete’ the day, it has been used for centuries to help bring spiritual peace and blessing as the day comes to an end.
Cathedral at Night at Lichfield Cathedral will be free of charge; donations will be gratefully received and welcomed.