More than ten million pilgrims are expected to journey to Rome during this Jubilee Year of Hope. Among them, one group brought a unique offering: sacred music sung in unity by Anglican and Catholic choirs from London. What began as a shared ecumenical vision between two neighbouring churches in Mayfair – the Church of England’s Grosvenor Chapel and the Roman Catholic Farm Street Church – blossomed into a deeply meaningful Summer pilgrimage to the Italian capital.
The joint choir pilgrimage, held over four days at the end of June and the beginning of July, was not merely a musical tour but a deliberate act of Christian unity. Fr Dominic Robinson, parish priest of Farm Street – the Jesuit church in London, and Fr Stephen Coleman, priest-in-charge at Grosvenor Chapel, led their communities in this ground-breaking initiative. The collaboration reflects a deepening relationship between their churches, grounded in prayer, friendship, and shared local mission.
“We’ve always had good relationships with Anglican churches in the area,” Fr Dominic recalls, “but in recent years, especially since Stephen’s arrival, we’ve rediscovered how much we can do together – whether it’s prayer, social outreach, or pilgrimage.”
Rooted in Friendship, Built on Prayer
The bond between Farm Street and Grosvenor Chapel goes beyond institutional cooperation. It is sustained by regular prayer and personal friendship. “Once a week, we pray together as a team,” says Fr Stephen. “It’s just a handful of us on a weekday morning – members of the Jesuit community, members of our congregations – but it’s quietly transformative.”
This spiritual grounding has fostered new opportunities for joint ministry. From ecumenical Stations of the Cross during Holy Week to shared services on Palm Sunday and Creation Sunday, and day pilgrimages to religious sites in the UK, the two congregations are growing closer. Parishioners mingle in Mount Street Gardens, situated between the two churches, and even the pealing of church bells is a shared rhythm of life.
“People in Mayfair don’t look at us as ‘the Catholic priest’ and ‘the Anglican priest,’” Fr Stephen notes. “They see us both as Christian leaders, and our unity matters.”
A Journey to Rome
The idea of a choir pilgrimage arose organically from these conversations. “We both have wonderful choirs, and long-serving directors of music,” says Fr Dominic, “so why not bring them together in a way that deepens our spiritual connection?”
What followed was more than a performance tour – it was a sacred journey. The choirs sang in some of Rome’s most iconic churches, including the Church of Saint Ignatius, the Church of the Gesù – the mother church of the Jesuits – and the Anglican Church of All Saints. The repertoire reflected both traditions, blending the rich choral heritage of Roman Catholicism and Anglicanism in praise to God.
“It was a privilege,” says Fr Dominic, “and a way to get to know the choir members more personally. Many weren’t Anglican or Catholic but were deeply moved by the experience of unity and worship.”
Theological Depth and Shared Mission
A highlight of the pilgrimage was a visit to the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity. Hosted by Fr Martin Browne OSB, the group engaged in dialogue around what unity and disunity mean today. “The goal is still full unity between our churches,” Fr Stephen recalls being told. “They’re trying to do on a global scale what we’re doing locally.”
Fr Dominic adds, “Unity begins with recognizing our incompleteness. When we share prayer, ministry, and sacred music, we discover how much we need each other.”
That spirit of receptive ecumenism – a willingness to learn from the other – is already shaping future plans. The churches are considering a theological colloquium to explore key issues like apostolic orders, the primacy of the Bishop of Rome, and the meaning of shared mission in the modern world.
Looking Ahead
Plans are already forming for future joint pilgrimages including joint choir pilgimages – perhaps next year within the UK, and then again abroad. The choirs are eager to sing together again, and the congregations continue to find joy in collaboration.
“Music has become a visible expression of our desire for unity,” says Fr Stephen. “But beneath that is prayer, friendship, and a shared commitment to the Gospel.”
As the Jubilee Year of Hope continues, this pilgrimage stands as a powerful sign of what’s possible when communities put faith into action – not just in Rome, but at home.
