A podcast for Palm Sunday

This is the third in a series of new podcasts which the Abbey is producing for worshippers across the world to listen to whilst they are self-isolating.

The Abbey will release four more podcasts for Holy Week on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Day. Each will have a reading, short address, anthem, prayers and blessing.

The Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle said:

On Palm Sunday Christians across the world would, normally, have made themselves in to crowds and walked in cities, towns and villages. Instead, this year, we are isolated from one another. In Westminster, we record a podcast before Abbey doors that are firmly closed. Still, though, we can hear the call of Christ as he asks us to follow him into the future. We can follow him even into possibility of suffering, knowing we follow him also into the life he offers to us all, where there is no isolation at all.

Introduced by the Dean, the Palm Sunday podcast has a reading of Luke 19: 28-40 by The Reverend Jenny Petersen, Minor Canon and Chaplain, an address by The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey and anthem Prayers in time of distress by Philip Moore (one of Three Prayers of Dietrich Bonhoeffer), sung by the Abbey Choir, conducted by James O’Donnell, and kindly supplied by Hyperion Records.

The Abbey has been deeply encouraged by feedback from listeners to the new podcasts including:

It was special, and very moving to be able to take part, listen to the choir and to receive a blessing.

Thank you all so much for the wonderful podcast. It really meant so much to me.

It was the perfect way to begin my Sunday and remind me of the peace and confidence to be found and embraced during this and all times.

An unexpected but valued and welcomed consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Everyone involved in the making of the podcast observed social distancing. It was edited and posted by Abbey staff off-site.

Listen to the podcast