New Cornish Language Mass to Launch at Truro Cathedral on 3rd June

What happens when an ancient language meets a brand new piece of sacred music? Cornwall is about to find out, and the public is being asked to be part of it.

A first for the Cornish language

Composer Mike O’Connor has written a new music setting for the Mass in Cornish, called the Mass of the Resurrection. According to Canon Jane Kneebone, this is the first known setting of the whole Mass in Cornish that has been designed for everyone to sing, not just trained choirs.

The piece draws on Cornish folk song tunes, and the name carries a double meaning. It refers to the resurrection of Christ and to the resurrection of the Cornish language itself.

Jane describes it as “a Mass for the people, easy to sing”, adding that she finds it “very beautiful as well”.

Launch at Truro Cathedral

The Mass will be launched at Truro Cathedral on Wednesday 3rd June at 5.30pm, during the Eucharist on the Eve of the Feast of St Petroc. The Cathedral Choir will lead the service, but the congregation is expected to join in. The whole service will be conducted in Cornish.

Jane says the occasion is significant for both the Church in Cornwall and for the language.

A practice session the night before

For anyone who wants to learn the music before the launch, there will be a practice session on Tuesday 2nd June at 7pm at St Michael’s Church in Newquay.

Jane is encouraging people to come along, take part, and spread the word.