Music
Station:
BBC One (GB)
Status:
Running
Start:
2015-12-24
Rating:
0/10 from 0 users
Live coverage of midnight mass attended by various dignitries from the church airs every Christmas Eve on the BBC.
Next Episode is 'Midnight Mass from Our Lady of the English Martyrs, Cambridge' (Season 2025 Episode 1) and airs on 24 Dec 2025 17:50 (CDT).
S2022E1 - 2022 - Midnight Mass from Blackburn Cathedral
Live from Blackburn Cathedral, the traditional celebration of the first Mass of Christmas and the Blessing of the Crib. The music is led by Blackburn Cathedral Chorus, with traditional favourites such as Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day and On Christmas Night All Christians Sing, as well as a new arrangement of a traditional Ukrainian carol, Deepest Wonder, set to a Ukrainian folk tune. The eucharist setting is taken from French composer Louis Vierne's dramatic Messe Solennelle.
The choir will be joined by a congregation from Blackburn's diverse community, which, along with nearby Darwen, forms one of Lancashire's largest population centres. Favourite congregational carols include Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Come All Ye Faithful and Of the Father's Love Begotten.
Set in the heart of Blackburn's town centre, the modern gothic splendour of the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary the Virgin with St Paul stands on a site that has been used for Christian worship for over 1,300 years.
The dean of Blackburn, the Most Rev Peter Howell-Jones, will preside and introduce the service, while the preacher is the bishop of Burnley, the Rt Rev Philip North. The director of music is John Robinson.
Air Date: 24 Dec 2022 17:45 (CDT)
S2023E1 - Midnight Mass from Portsmouth Cathedral
Live Christmas Eve service, led by the Dean of Portsmouth the Very Rev Dr Anthony Cane, with the Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Dr Jonathan Frost, preaching. Music includes O Little Town of Bethlehem, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. The choir, accompanied by His Majesty's Royal Marines Band Service, are led by organist and master of the choristers Dr David Price.
Air Date: 24 Dec 2023 17:40 (CDT)
S2024E1 - Midnight Mass from St Mary's Church, Warwick
The traditional Christmas Eve service and Blessing of the Crib, live from the Collegiate Church of St Mary's, Warwick. Introduced and led by the Rector of St Mary's, the Rev Canon Angus Aagaard, with a sermon from the Rt Rev Martin Gordon, the Bishop of Goma, who is visiting from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Director of Music Oliver Hancock leads the St Mary's Choir. Carols include O Little Town of Bethlehem, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear and O Come All Ye Faithful.
Air Date: 24 Dec 2024 17:40 (CDT)
S2025E1 - Midnight Mass from Our Lady of the English Martyrs, Cambridge
A live celebration of the First Mass of the Nativity with carols, readings and the traditional blessing of the crib. Led by the Rt Rev Monsignor Canon Harkness.
Air Date: 24 Dec 2025 17:50 (CDT)