St Ambrose Barlow

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In October 2009, as part of our engagement with the new National Curriculum Year 8 pupils participated in a “Manchester” Theme week where they worked collaboratively to develop their skills in a range of subject areas. The aim of the week was to promote a shared understanding of the culture and heritage of the city where our pupils live.

As a Roman Catholic school it was important that pupils understand how our faith grew in Manchester and the role played by our most significant local saint, St. Ambrose Barlow, a courageous priest who was martyred for his beliefs.

We were extremely fortunate in the support of our local clergy who agreed to concelebrate Mass in honour of St Ambrose Barlow and to arrange for his relics to be venerated. This special occasion took place on Tuesday 3rd November 2009. Pupils provided an exhibition of the martyr’s life as well as a display relating to their studies on Manchester in a range of different subjects.

Parishioners from our local parishes as well as those further afield were invited as well as pupils and their families. The occasion was a very spiritual and uplifting event for all who attended, pupils were in attendance as the relics were venerated, music was provided by students from the Royal Northern College of Music and the Mass was concelebrated by five priests: Monsignor Canon Mark Davies, the Vicar General; Rev. Fr Ansbro, our Chair of Governors, Rev Fr. J.P. Earley the parish priest of St. Ambrose in Chorlton where the relics reside; Rev. Fr, William Techie from St Mary’s, Levenshulme and Rev. Fr Adebola from the Just Youth team.

To have so many priests celebrating Mass was a great honour for our school as was the fact that Father Earley, who preached very knowledgeably about St Ambrose, agreed to bring the relics of the saint, which are very rarely moved, to our school.

The event concluded with refreshments for all and the chance to meet up with old friends and to make new ones.

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