Westminster Abbey

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...

The Rule of St Benedict tells us to offer hospitality as if we were entertaining Christ. Recorded in the monastic ‘Cellarium’, which is now a café, this podcast considers themes of welcome and hospitality, as lockdown begins to ease, and places of hospitality begin to re-open. But what do we gain by being hospitable to one another? Perhaps, quite literally, everything. A 20-minute service of praye...

CS Lewis’s writings have offered inspiring commentary on the Christian faith to people from across the world over many years. This week’s podcast draws inspiration from some of Lewis’s writings and reflections.   A 17-minute service of prayers, reading, address, music and blessing recorded this week in Poets’ Corner by the memorial to CS Lewis, Anglican scholar and spiritual writer, which was dedi...

In the gospels, Jesus gathers the disciples around him, and then sends them out to share his mission in the world. His mission is our mission, yet we do not possess it. Rather it can become the narrative which gives shape to our lives. A 22-minute service of prayers, reading, address, music and blessing recorded this week at the North Door, which was originally the grand entrance of the Abbey. Int...

The Holy Trinity can sometimes sound a bit like a mathematical problem (‘Three in One, and One in Three’), but this podcast explores whether it is, in fact, a key to understanding not just God, but ourselves, and the kind of relationships for which we are made. A 19-minute service of prayers, reading, address, music and blessing recorded this week in the 13th century Chapter House in the East Cloi...

A special ecumenical episode bringing Christian leaders together to celebrate Pentecost. A 15-minute service of prayers, reading, address, music and blessing recorded this week on the Cosmati pavement – a 750-year old pavement in front of the High Altar where coronations have taken place for hundreds of years. Introduced by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle Address by The R...

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on Anglican Communion Sunday for worshippers everywhere. A 17 minute service of prayers, reading, sermon, music and blessing recorded this week in the north transept where pilgrims and visitors have entered Westminster Abbey for hundreds of years. Introduced by the Reverend Canon Anthony Ball, Canon Steward Address by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr D...

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on Ascension Day for worshippers everywhere. A service recorded this week in the glorious Lady Chapel, Westminster Abbey. Introduced by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle Address by the Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian Reader: HRH The Countess of Wessex Introduction: The Dean Reading: Luke 24: 44–53 (The Countess of Wessex) Ad...

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on the Sixth Sunday of Easter for worshippers everywhere. A twenty-minute service recorded this week in the intimate setting of St Faith’s Chapel, Westminster Abbey, focusing on the Easter gift of God’s abiding love. Introduced by the Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian Address by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle Reader: The Bi...

A podcast from Westminster Abbey for the fifth Sunday of Easter. Introduced by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle Recorded in the Florence Nightingale Chapel Reader: Victor Funtanares, NHS paediatric nurse and Abbey Oblate Introduction: The Dean Gospel Reading (John 14: 1-14): Victor Funtanares Address: The Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor Anthem: Stanford Beat...

A podcast from Westminster Abbey for the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Introduced by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle. Recorded at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. Readers: General Sir Nicholas Carter GCB, CBE, DSO, Chief of the Defence Staff The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian Barbara Weatherill, VE Day veteran Introduction: The Dean Reading: Psalm 46 (Gen...

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on the Fourth Sunday of Easter Introduced by the Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian Recorded at the Cloister Entrance, the gate leading to the Abbey’s cloisters Address by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle Reader: Alan Titchmarsh Introduction: Canon Hawkey Reading: John 10: 1-10 (Alan Titchmarsh) Address: The Dean Anthem: Henry...

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on the Third Sunday of Easter following Anzac Day. Introduced by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle. Recorded before the British Fighting Forces Memorial in Samaria within the Deanery of Westminster Abbey. Address by the Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian.   Readers: The Right Hon Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand Hi...

An ANZAC Reflection by an Australian in London. Abbey chaplain, The Reverend Jenny Petersen, who is currently in lockdown at the Abbey, explains how it feels to be an Australian in London for ANZAC. She reveals the special way she plans to mark the day when she would usually be attending the Abbey’s ANZAC Day service, and how she thinks ANZAC values can help at this time. Jenny has lived in the UK...

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on Low Sunday introduced by The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian. Address: The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster Reader: Dr Claire Foster-Gilbert, Director, Westminster Abbey Institute Recorded in Infirmary Hall, a 14th century space which was once part of the monastic infirmary. Introduction – Canon Hawkey Reading – John 20: 19-31 (...

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on Easter Day introduced by The Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, with a reading by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Address: The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian Reader:  His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales Recorded in St Catherine’s Chapel Garden, Little Cloister – a small garden within the ruins of the 12th century...

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on Holy Saturday introduced by The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian. Address: The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster Reader:  Carol Hawkey Recorded in College Garden, a garden which has been in cultivation for over 900 years.   Introduction – Canon Hawkey Reading –John 19: 38-42 Address – The Dean Anthem – William Byrd Civitas sancti...

A podcast from Westminster Abbey for Good Friday introduced by The Reverend Canon Anthony Ball, Canon Steward. Address: The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster Reader:  The Reverend Canon Jane Sinclair, Canon of Westminster and Rector of St Margaret's Church Recorded in College Garden within the walls of the Abbey, at the crucifix by the Italian sculptor, Enzo Plazzotta. Introduction...

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on Maundy Thursday introduced by The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian. Address: The Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Sacrist Reader: Carol Hawkey Recorded in the East Cloister where the Abbot would perform a Maundy rite before the Reformation. Introduction – Canon Hawkey Reading – John 13: 3-14 Address – The Reverend Mark Birch Anthem – Christop...

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on Palm Sunday introduced by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle.   Recorded in front of the Abbey’s Great West Door, above which stand statues commemorating ten modern martyrs – Christians who gave up their lives during the twentieth century. Address: The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian Reader: The Reverend Jenny Petersen, Mi...

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on Passion Sunday introduced by The Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Sacrist.    Recorded in the Cloisters of Westminster Abbey.   Address: The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster Reader: Megan Huntly   Introduction – The Reverend Mark Birch Reading – John 11: 17-44 (Megan Huntly)  Address – The Dean Anthem – Henry Purcell Hear my Prayer Prayers,...

A podcast from Westminster Abbey on The Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary, 2020, introduced by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle.    Recorded at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pew, Westminster Abbey  Introduced by The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster  Address from The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey, Canon Theologian  Reader: Carol Hawkey    Int...

The Charles Gore Memorial Lecture 2020 given by Professor Jürgen Moltmann, Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology, University of Tübingen. Chair: The Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Canon of Westminster. Part of Westminster Abbey Institute's 'Hope' season. A transcript of this talk can be found at:  https://www.westminster-abbey.org/charles-gore-memorial-lectures/charles-gore-lecture-2020

Lecture given by Dame Barbara Stocking, President of Murray Edwards College, Cambridge, at Westminster Abbey on 25th February 2020. Introduced by Baroness D’Souza. Part of Westminster Abbey Institute's 'Hope' season.

Renowned historian Dr John Guy’s lecture on Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots. He discusses these two anointed queens who never met in life yet they lie buried at Westminster Abbey just a few metres from one another in the stunning Lady Chapel, built by Henry Tudor. This lecture was recorded at Westminster Abbey’s annual History Masterclass event on 22nd January 2020.