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More than 1,000 people journeyed to Sussex on Saturday to mark the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton’s Diamond Jubilee. The “Festival of Hope” which took place at Ardingly Showground was a joyful celebration of faith, hope and mission with music from “One Hope Project”, representatives from Catholic charities and groups including The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), Catentians and diocesan Anti-Slavery Ambassadors, and speakers from the Sion Community, Bible Society, and CAFOD.

The 1960s were a time of theological and pastoral significance for the Catholic Church, with the Second Vatican Council convened by Pope St. John XXIII. Planning for the new Diocese of Arundel & Brighton, which was originally part of Southwark, began in shortly afterwards in 1963, with the Diocese comprising Sussex and much of Surrey formed just two years later in 1965  - the same year that the Second Vatican Council concluded and Southwark became an Archdiocese.

Speaking on Saturday, Michelle Moran from The Sion Community reflected on spiritual renewal and the power of hope: “Put out into the deep”, she said, “today, for your diocese, is a day for gratitude…we are encouraged to look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm. Gospel hope is not wishful thinking; it is letting go and surrendering to the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within each of us.”

Dai Woolridge from the Bible Society explored the importance of words as vehicles of hope. Speaking during the second presentation of the day he said: “Words have power… let us pioneer words of hope, speaking gently with respect [remembering that] it’s not just what you say it’s how you say it. [Let us] put our trust and faith in… the Word made Flesh - the good news.”

People of all ages attended Saturday’s celebration, with representatives from the diocese’s many parishes and schools able to spend time in prayer and worship at the festival’s Adoration Marquee, visit the International Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles created and designed by St Carlo Acutis, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and - for much younger festival goers -enjoy singing and action songs in the dedicated ‘break out’ space.

The festival concluded in the late afternoon with the celebration of Mass. Speaking during his homily Bishop Richard highlighted the diocese’s witness of faith and reiterated the importance of mission – a theme which underpins the diocesan Pastoral Plan “The Word Who is Life”:

“Our parishes, schools, chaplaincies and religious communities have been communities of faith and centres of hope throughout the last 60 years” he said, “we give thanks today for the many blessings and graces that have come to us. This year’s Jubilee Year of Hope – and our own 60^th Anniversary – offer us an opportunity to renew our openness to the gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit as we journey in mission on the path of holiness.

“We travel in the company of the saints – our brothers and sisters whom the Church places before us as examples of faith. We travel with our Blessed Mother, God’s instrument in bringing us Jesus, the Word Who is Life – and we travel with the Lord Himself.”

Many thanks to photographer Adam Simon for sharing his photographs of the celebration with us.