16/11/2024
On the 16 May 2024 The Venerable Patricia Hillas was announced as the 88th Bishop of Sodor and Man. On the day of the announcement the new Bishop visited St Patrick’s Isle in Peel and so began a journey that has included Ordination and Consecration in York Minster, The Archbishop of York, The Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell delivering the Charge to the Bishop in person, at Choral Evensong on 25 October and paying Homage to King Charles in London this week. Today, Tricia (as she prefers to be known) returned to St Patrick’s Isle where a short service was held at the ancient Cathedral attended by the Dean and Chapter, clergy and choir. As the ancient Cathedral is on St Patrick’s Isle, words from St Patrick’s Breastplate have been set to music by Dr Peter Litman and they were sung by the choir for the occasion.
There then followed a procession to begin begin the journey to the New Cathedral in Peel to be enthroned on the Feast of Margaret, Queen of Scotland.
The Gathering
After the procession from St Patrick’s Isle through the streets of Peel and as people gathered in the Cathedral , the Anglican Youth Fellowship Band from Uganda, offered gentle and vibrant worship songs of traditional Ugandan style in preparation for worship.
As the service commenced at 2:00pm the first procession of Representatives of the Tynwald High Court made their way down the aisle. Representatives included The Clerk of Tynwald, The Deputy Chief Minister, The Chief Minister, The Speaker of the House of Keys and The President of Tynwald.
Then followed the Crown Procession of the Lieutenant Governor, representing His Majesty King Charles III, Lord of Mann. His Excellency was accompanied by Lady Lorimer and both were escorted to their seats by Christine Moughtin, the Chair of Peel Commissioners.
As they took their seats the National Anthem was sung.
The third procession of the Choir and Ministers then began. Led by the Crucifer and included, The Cathedral Choristers and Lay clerks, Representatives of other faith communities, Visiting Clergy and Ecumenical Guests, Licensed Readers, Diocesan Clergy, The Verger, Deacon with the Holy Scriptures, The Bishop’s Chaplain, The Cathedral Chapter, The Diocesan Registrar, Deputy Vicar General and the Vicar General, The Archdeacon and The Dean.
The Dean then welcomed the congregation:
‘We have come together on this special day as people of the Isle of Man, as guests, members of different faith communities, as ecumenical brothers and sisters and as Anglican Christians to witness the inauguration of Bishop Tricia’s ministry in the Diocese of Sodor and Man.
We have gathered to welcome her as she begins her solemn responsibilities of spiritual and pastoral leadership, and to surround her and her family with love and prayer for God’s sustaining grace: the power of the Holy Spirit in the tasks which lie ahead for her and for us all.’
Manx singers Caarjyn Cooidjagh then sang Padjer Columb Killey and were directed by Annie Kissack.
Next it was the turn of the congregation to stand and sing the first hymn of the afternoon Love divine, all loves excelling.
Welcoming the Bishop
During the hymn, the Cathedral Chapter went to the North Door of the Cathedral and at the end of the hymn, the congregation turned to face the door to welcome the Bishop as she knocked three times with her staff and as she did so the door was opened.
The Dean welcomed the Bishop saying, ‘Right Reverend Mother in God Patricia, we have looked forward to your coming with great joy. We greet you and welcome you to your Cathedral Church.’
The Bishop responded, ‘The peace of God be on this house and in this company’ and then entered the Cathedral to a resounding fanfare and processed to the dais at the front.
At this point two young people stepped forward and firstly in Manx and then in English said:
Manx: veagh shin booiagh dy akin Yeesey (Ean 12.21)
English: we want to see Jesus! (John 12.21)
The Bishop responded with the words, ‘With all my heart I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ may be revealed among us through the mission of God and the ministry that we share.’
Prayers followed and included the Collect of the Day read by The Canon of St German.
Readings from Scripture followed including the Old Testament Reading Micah 6: 6-8 which was read in Manx by Phil Gawne. Psalm 128 sung by the Cathedral Choir and then Christine Litman, Cathedral Warden read the New Testament Reading 2 John 1-6.
The choir then sang the Magnificat from ‘Collegium Regale’ by Herbert Howells (1892-1983) and then sang the Gospel Acclamation prior to the Gospel Matthew (13. 44-46) being read by the Rev Ian Quayle (Deacon)
The Enthronement
The Diocesan Registrar, Mrs Louise Connacher then read the Mandate from the Archbishop of York to begin the enthronement.
The Lieutenant Governor then presented the Bishop to the Dean, saying:
‘Mr Dean, I present to you the Right Reverend Patricia Hillas who has been duly consecrated a Bishop in the Church of God. In fulfilment of the Mandate of His Grace the Archbishop of York, I now, therefore, ask you to induct, install and enthrone her as Bishop of the Bishopric of the Isle of Man and Sodor and of Sodor and Man, with all the rights, members and appurtenances thereto belonging.‘
The Enthronement as Bishop
The Dean then conducted the Bishop to her seat and read:
‘By virtue of the Mandate of The Most Revd and Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell, by Divine providence Lord Archbishop of York, I, Nigel Godfrey, Dean of the Cathedral Isle of Man, induct, install and enthrone you, Patricia Hillas, into possession of the Bishopric of the Isle of Man and Sodor and of Sodor of Man, with its rights and dignities and all its opportunities of service; and I place you in the episcopal seat of this Cathedral Church of Saint German in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.’
The Canon of Saint German then presented the Bishop with the Diocesan Crozier, saying:
‘Bishop Tricia, receive this pastoral staff.
Follow the example of the good Shepherd:
lead with courage and guide with love;
keep watch over the whole flock
among whom the Holy Spirit has appointed you.
Proclaim the Gospel, restore the lost, encourage the faithful
and build up the body of Christ.’
The Archdeacon then said, ‘Bishop Tricia, as a chief pastor, you are called to leadership in many aspects of the Church’s worship, mission and service.’
A number of people then presented gifts to the Bishop
The Rev Jeanette Hamer presented a large vessel of water, Gill Poole, a licensed Reader presented a Bible, Helen Parry, a Liturgical Assistant presented a loaf and a vessel of wine, the Speaker of the House of Keys presented a copy of Tynwald Standing Orders, The Revd Dr Janet Corlett, Chair of the Methodist District and Circuit Superintendent presented a vessel of oil, Dr Tim Grass, a member of the Crown Nominations Commission presented a book of prayers and finally David Joughin from the Interfaith Group presented a candle
As people returned to their seats, the choir sang the anthem: ‘A New Song’ by Sir James Macmillan which was personally chosen by the Bishop for the occasion.
The Sermon
Then Bishop Tricia preached her first sermon in the Cathedral
The Prayers
Monsignor John Devine, Dean of the Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of St Mary of the Isle then called the people to pray, first in silence, for the faithful and joyful discipleship of all God’s people using the following prayers.
We pray for the use of God’s gifts, saying,
Lord of all,
In your mercy hear us.
God our Father, you freely bestow your gifts that we may work together in the service of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ:
Bless all who lead your people’s service, that they may be firm in faith and humble in heart.
Lord of all,
In your mercy hear us.
Clare Faulds (Church Warden at Maughold):
Bless those who teach, that they may be taught by you and increase our understanding of your ways.
Lord of all,
In your mercy hear us.
Bless those through whom you speak, that they may be open to hear your gentlest whisper and fearless to proclaim your word.
Lord of all,
In your mercy hear us.
Carole Bairstow (Reader at Onchan):
Bless all who witness to the Good News and those who welcome new members of your Church at baptism, that we may be a missionary people.
Lord of all,
In your mercy hear us.
Bless all who serve at your Altar, that we may celebrate in peace and joy the mystery of your death and resurrection.
Lord of all,
In your mercy hear us.
The Revd Simon Archer (Priest-in-charge, Arbory and Castletown):
Bless all who minister healing, that they may bring wholeness to those in need and know in themselves your reconciling grace.
Lord of all,
In your mercy hear us.
Bless Charles our King, Lord of Mann, The Lieutenant Governor, the members of Tynwald and all who exercise authority in this nation, that they may do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with you.
Lord of all,
In your mercy hear us.
Petrina Kawooya (a member of the AYB band) :
Bless us all in our daily work, that in our varied lives we may live for you, listen for your call, and look for your kingdom.
Lord of all,
In your mercy hear us.
Bless those who feel they have no gifts and those who are unwilling to share them, that they may be moved by your Spirit.
Lord of all,
In your mercy hear us.
Monsignor John Devine :
We bless your name for all who have gone before us in the pilgrimage of faith and who, with us and all the saints, rejoice in life eternal.
Lord of all,
In your mercy hear us.
O Lord, invigorate your Church in the power of your Holy Spirit:
make us one in heart and mind
to serve you with joy for ever. Amen.
The prayers concluded with the The Lord’s Prayer.
The Sending Out
Following the prayers the Offertory Hymn ‘Be Thou My Vision’ was sung along with the Manx National Anthem and Bishop Tricia then gave the blessing before the processions formed and departed the Cathedral to the sound of the Organ Voluntary Grand Choeur in D Alle Handel (Op18 No. 1) – Alexandre Guilmant.