As the pilgrimage season gets under way, we explore some of the opportunities on offer this year
As a child, we enjoyed simple holidays, although each one was an adventure. Mostly, we spent a week in a Caravan in Trecco Bay, Porthcawl – and that was more than enough for us. Even on the days when the sun didn’t shine, we took delight in the sound of the rain on the roof as we worked our way through wordsearches and homemade quizzes. We explored the beaches and dunes, rode the fair ground rides and, with metallic smelling fingers, pushed our coppers through the penny slots. Each night was topped off with an evening at Caesar’s Palace, when ‘pop and crisps’ were more than enough. Then, in those days, we wondered where people from Porthcawl went on holidays. Surely, if you lived in Porthcawl, you were always on holidays.
As the spring moves onto summer, we begin the pilgrimage season in our churches, as we plan those journeys, near and far, many of which have become embedded in the rhythm of many people’s lives.
There are many opportunities for us to make pilgrimage together – to Flat Holm in the Bristol Channel, Penrhys in the Rhondda, Glastonbury in the South West of England, Walsingham in Norfolk, as well as our Assumptiontide celebrations at St Mary’s in August.
Flat Holm
Flat Holm is a small island, pushed five miles out into the Bristol Channel, the southernmost point of Cardiff and the ancient parish of St Mary’s. It is a place of natural beauty, steeped in history and heritage, and was a place frequented by St Cadoc who made retreats there during Lent. It’s in the tradition of the Celtic Saints that we deliver our pilgrimage programme there. We offer both offshore and onshore pilgrimages. Check out our Flat Holm pages for dates and details!
Glastonbury Pilgrimage
The pilgrimage to Glastonbury celebrated in the midst of the Abbey ruins is a well established event. Each year, large numbers from South Wales take part and there are free coaches available. So, why not join us this year on Saturday 8 July. You can book your seat on the coach directly with us, and you can find out more about the pilgrimage at their website
Walsingham Pilgrimage
Taking place from July 24 -27th, this pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham is an absolute joy, and many people return year after year, although each year there are always first time pilgrims. So why not join us this year? More details about the shrine can be found at their website.
Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage
The Youth Pilgrimage is a week of lively worship, teaching, fellowship and fun for 11-18 year olds. The traditional pilgrimage devotions are presented in an upbeat, lively and enjoyable way which makes them relevant for our young people in today’s world. Over 500 young people gather in Walsingham for the week from all over the UK and internationally, giving them a chance to meet other Christians and explore their faith in a safe environment. Over the years it has changed the lives of countless young people who have never forgotten their week in Walsingham and many of them have come to love the Shrine and to make the pilgrimage ever since.
Check out more details about the Youth Pilgrimage here and booking details to join the group from South Wales are below.
Penrhys Pilgrimage
This medieval Shrine to Our Lady of Penrhys, toppled by King Henry’s men in the sixteenth century, remains a place of pilgrimage to this day. This particular pilgrimage to Penrhys during the Assumptiontide weekends offers a walking pilgrimage for those who are up to it, or others can join on the mountaintop for Mass and devotions. We also have a pilgrimage manual available full of prayers and devotions.
Assumptiontide Celebrations
A wonderful summer’s evening celebration, beginning with a barbecue in the grounds of St Mary’s Church, followed by Vespers (Evening Prayer) and Torchlight Procession with the image of Our Lady of Walsingham, all topped off with fireworks!
Walsingham October Devotions
Once regarded as a reunion for those who took part in the South Wales Pilgrimage in July, this celebration is for all, and offers a reminder and taster of pilgrimage to the Shrine, as we gather for Mass and other devotions, including Sprinkling with water from the Holy Well
Finally
As we journey to each of these places, we are reminded that the Christian life is a journey, a lifetime’s pilgrimage, as we journey with God. It’s a journey which never reaches its fulfilment until we reach the life of Heaven, for which we were made.
Perhaps the people of Porthcawl do need to get away – from time to time, at least! Despite my childhood observations, they are not always on holidays! Meanwhile, whether or not we take part in these or any other pilgrimages on offer to us this year, we are, in a sense, always on pilgrimage without even leaving the house. We are a pilgrim people. We are always on the move!
(Fr Dean Atkins)
If you’d like to explore these and other pilgrimage opportunities then please do get touch.
South Cardiff Ministry Area 