WELCOME TO THE PARISH CHURCH
OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN, SWANLEY
01322 662201
All Souls Day: Thursday 2nd November 2023
St Mary's places great importance on remembering those we have loved and lost. A central part of this ministry is our Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, All Souls Day, which falls on 2nd November.
We celebrate a said Mass at 10am when we remember all who are on our anniversaries of death list.
At 7.30pm, we shall have a sung Mass at which we shall remember all whose funerals we have done in the last year and anyone for whom we have done memorial services or burials of ashes. We provide some refreshments after the evening Mass.
You are welcome to ask us to remember a relative who has died and you are very welcome to join us at any of our services.
We also make available 7-day candles which are lit for the evening service and remain in church for the following week. If you would like more information about buying a candle, please download the form here, print it out and return it to us with your payment.
Bowing
There are two sorts of bow: from the head and a profound bow from the waist.
A profound bow may be used in place of genuflecting, if required.
A head bow is made to the Processional Cross at the start and end of Mass.
A head bow is made the Celebrant in procession at the start and end of Mass (you may genuflect if the celebrant is a bishop.)
A head bow is made whenever the name 'Jesus' is mentioned in church.
A slight head bow may be made for the name 'Mary', the mohter of the Lord, when at Mass.
An even smaller head bow may be made at the mention of the saint of the day, when at Mass.
These are not hard and fast rules: there will be no lightning bolt from heaven if you don't follow these guidelines. They are venerable traditions which unite us with those who have worshipped in the past, and those now in the presence of God.
Don't ever freel that omitting any one of these practices makes you a bad person! Do what enables you to feel close to God and reminds you of his loving presence.