Blessing of the Riddell Vault (where Bishop Kevin Dunn, Bishop Riddell and Fr William Fletcher are buried) and Requiem Mass
A Requiem Mass and special Blessing and Rededication of the Riddell Vault took place at the Cathedral on Friday July 11th at 7.00pm.
The Riddell vault, which lies in the Cathedral Garden just outside the Cathedral was built in 1848. In it are buried Bishop Riddell and Fr William Fletcher who died in the great cholera epidemic of 1847-1848, and more recently, Bishop Kevin Dunn who died on March 1st 2008.
The principal celebrant at the mass was The Very Reverend Canon Seamus Cunningham, Diocesan Administrator. Concelebrating were Fr Peter Leighton, Cathedral Dean, Fr John Skivington and Fr Chris Warren, cathedral clergy, and Fr Campbell, chaplain to the Riddell family.
His Most Eminent Highness Fra' Matthew Festing, Grand Master of the Order of Malta, and other members of the Riddell Family were also present., along with members of Bishop Kevin's family, including his mother .
Listen to homily by Rev Peter Leighton, Cathedral Dean (MP3 - 4Mb)
At the end of a moving and uplifting Requiem Mass, Canon Cunningham led the congregation in a Procession to the Vault:
"Brothers and sisters in Christ, we have come together to bless and rededicate the Riddell Vault, where the bodies of our fathers in faith, sealed with the name of Christ, now lie in rest, awaiting the Lord's coming in glory."
Blessing the Vault
He blessed the tomb with holy water and incense:
"Grant that this tomb,
may continue, by the power of your blessing,
to be a place of rest and hope.
May our brothers, Fr William Fletcher,
Bishop William Riddell and Bishop Kevin Dunn,
whose bodies are buried here,
sleep in your peace,
to rise immortal at the coming of your son."
The mausoleum at the entrance to the vault