The Princess Royal has recorded a reading for Westminster Abbey’s podcast celebrating the feast of its patron saint. Princess Anne gave a reading from the New Testament to mark St. Peter’s Day.
The podcast was released on June 29th, the feast day itself, and is part of the regular Abbeycasts.
Westminster Abbey wrote, “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.”
The Abbeycast featured a 15-minute prayer service with a reading, address, music and blessing.
The Princess Royal read from the Book of Matthew, Chapter 16 verses 13-19, which reads, in part, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
The St. Peter’s Day Abbeycast was recorded in front of the statue of St Peter by the High Altar, which is located in the Sacrarium.
The Abbeycast was introduced by The Reverend Canon Dr James Hawkey and the address was made by the Dean of Westminster, The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle.
Westminster Abbey launched its Abbeycast podcast on 25 March, as the lockdown began in the UK due to COVID-19 and churches had to close their doors. In the months since its launch, The Prince of Wales and The Countess of Wessex have both given readings as has the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern.
