Saint Peter is the Abbey’s patron saint, and on St Peter’s Day the Collegiate Body and wider Abbey community would usually be celebrating with a Festal Eucharist. This year we mark St Peter’s Day with a special podcast which includes a reading by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. This episode reflects on the Abbey’s dedication to St Peter, and on the inspiration St Peter offers us in the life of faith. A 15-minute service of prayers, reading, address, music and blessing recorded this week in the Sacrarium in front of the statue of St Peter by the High Altar. Introduced by The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian Address by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle Reader: Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal Introduction: Canon HawkeyReading: Matthew 16: 13–19 HRH The Princess RoyalAddress: The DeanAnthem: Palestrina Tu es Petrus
Prayers and Blessing: Canon Hawkey Music: Performed by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by James O’Donnell (with kind permission of Hyperion Records). This podcast was recorded with all contributors observing social distancing.