The homily of our Child Bishop 2025

Twelve-year-old Sébastien Dubroeucq was named Norwich Cathedral’s 2025 Child Bishop and used his new role to share wise words about the importance of being kind and supporting each other on life’s journeys.

The St Nicholas Day service on Friday 5 December was attended by the Bishop of Thetford, the Rt Revd Ian Bishop, who blessed Sébastien and presented him with a book of prayers, before Sébastien gave his homily.

You can read Sébastien's full homily below:

"How would you describe a journey? You can describe or think of a journey in a multitude of ways. You could call the trip you took to the cathedral today a journey or even going to the supermarket. There are 3 types of journeys. You have literal journeys such as going from one end of this cathedral to the other. Then you have metaphorical journeys, like going through different stages of life or working towards something with a clear goal like working towards a piano grades. And then finally, you have spiritual journeys, where we grow in our faith and connect with God.

These 3 types of journeys all have a few things in common: They all have a beginning, a transition, and then a destination. And in that transition, there is always something or someone that helps that transition come to fruition. For example, a student could not pass their GCSEs without the assistance of a teacher. Through all these journeys we take during our life, there will be moments of discouragement and sadness, but in these times, we must remember that God is always here to help and guide us throughout our journeys as long as we have faith in him and trust that he will lead us in the right way. In any journey you take through life, you might find that the destination you come to will be different than what you expected, and that is because God’s path for you might be different to what you think your path is, but as long as you trust in God to guide you in the correct direction, whatever or wherever your journey leads you to, you can be fulfilled. For example, some years ago, I went to this cathedral to do an audition for fun, never expecting that I would join this cathedral choir but here I am, speaking to you right now.

Every one of us in this building is going through some sort of journey, and our duty as God’s people is to help and guide each other through our journeys in life as God helps and guides us. As peers and friends, we should support and be kind to each other as we each go on our own individual journey."