Holy Cross, Leicester

Introduction

Holy Cross was established as a priory in 1882. The foundation stone of the current church was laid in 1929, the choir and transepts opened and the high altar consecrated in 1931, and the church was finally completed and consecrated on 14 May 1958.

History

The medieval priory was surrendered to the king's agents on 10 November 1538. The first Dominicans to return to Leicester after the Reformation came from Holy Cross Priory, Bornhem, founded in 1657 in what was then the Spanish Netherlands.

At Bornhem, a school for English Catholic boys and a novitiate and study house of the Order thrived until the arrival of the French Revolutionary army in 1794. Benedict Caestryck, born in 1762 at Poperinghe, joined the Order at Ypres in 1784. Benedict Caestryck died in 1844.

By 1929 the first Holy Cross church proved to be too small for the congregation, so the famous preacher and author, fr Vincent McNabb OP, started to raise money for a larger church. The church houses a relic of the true cross, kept in a tabernacle at St Helena’s altar (south transept, far right as you look at the High Altar).

Architecture and furnishings

The church is dedicated to the Holy Cross, and celebrates its feast day on the 14th September, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. There are numerous statues of the saints and sites of devotion around the church, including important Dominicans such as St Dominic, St Thomas Aquinas, and St Catherine of Siena.

Parish life

Students gather on several weekdays during term time. The 'Upper Room' group for young adults gathers in the Frassati Centre after an evening Mass. The altar servers meet regularly for training, catechesis, and social time. The parish is responsible for the chaplaincies to the University of Leicester and De Montfort University, and provides chaplaincy ministry to the Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Baptism preparation includes a preparation class unless a previous child was baptised at Holy Cross. First Holy Communion and First Confession are prepared together, with first confession made before first communion. The First Holy Communion course begins each February. Confirmation candidates must be baptised Catholics, in year 9 or above, and have attended Mass regularly at Holy Cross for the year.

Marriage preparation is carried out by the priest, often assisted by a parish group, with deanery courses recommended. The parish asks those who are sick in hospital to contact the hospital chaplaincy team to arrange a priest's visit.