Welsh Pilgrimage Prayer

Prayer at the Shrine of Our Lady of Penrhys

Here are a few prayer resources for those who make pilgrimage to any place made significant by the Saints of our land.

They feature in our Flat Holm Pilgrimage Manual: ‘Here in this Place,’ and include:

Setting Off: prayers for the beginning of a pilgrimage
Prayers at Places of Pilgrimage in Wales
Litany of Welsh Saints

Pilgrimage Prayers

These prayers are provided for use when setting off on pilgrimage, as we ask God for his blessing on setting out on our journey

In the name of the Father
and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

[May God who is our strength and salvation
be with you all.
And also with you.]

As we set out, we are mindful that many others have travelled before us and so we tread in their footsteps,

But this journey is also unique to each of us as we seek God’s strength and guidance.

May our travels bring us a renewed faith to live the gospel of Christ with joy and love.

We pray, too, for our travelling companions, and all those we meet along the way.

May we share our gifts of faith and hope and love so that both they and we will be enriched and strengthened.

BIBLE READING
Let us listen to words from St Paul
‘We are away from the Lord’ (2 Corinthians 5:6-9)

So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. (NRSV)

Prayers in Places

The following generic prayers may be used at particular places of pilgrimage.

AT A MARTYR’S PLACE

Father,
we stand on holy ground,
a place immersed in prayer
made holy by the shedding
of your Martyr's blood.
Inspired by Saint N.,
may we be renewed in faith
and revived by your Spirit
so that by our witness
others may come to believe in your Son,
and our nation once again
rejoice in your saving love.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

AT A CHURCH OR SHRINE

God our Loving Father,
your grace has triumphed
in the lives of all your saints,
whose faith and witness
echoes throughout our land.
They are glowing lights of love and peace
in a world where darkness lingers.
Gathered in this holy place
we seek your grace and glory
and the joy of faith renewed.
If we should keep our silence
these stones would shout aloud
to proclaim your holy name.
Make us living stones in the household of faith
so that with St N. and all the Saints of Wales
we may boldly build your church
through your Spirit's power.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ
the cornerstone, who is alive and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever. Amen.

AT A HOLY WELL

‘Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion; who going through the barren valley find there a spring and the early rains will clothe it with blessing.’ (Psalm 84)

Your pour out your love, O Lord,
upon the people you have called your own.
Gathered at this holy well
may we know your overflowing love
and be refreshed by your Spirit
who has been poured into our hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS

As we reflect on God's overflowing love,
we know that we have failed
to follow his ways,
and so seek his forgiveness and strength.

(Silence)

Lord Jesus, friend of sinners,
you bring hope when we despair.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, healer of the sick,
you give us strength in our weakness.

Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, light of the world,
you dispel the darkness of death.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

May almighty God have mercy on us
forgive us our sins
and bring us to eternal life. Amen.

Pilgrims may wish to receive the waters of the well, praying:

As the deer pants for the running water
so my soul longs for you, my Lord.

Litany of Welsh Saints

In each generation,
the Lord has raised up people of holiness. 
They have walked the same earth
and given voice to the Spirit's power,
proclaiming the good news of Jesus
to the people of Wales,
singing his praises through village and valley,
their voices resounding from coast to coast,
their lives speaking powerfully,
their hearts filled with love.

With these and all the saints,
we proclaim the greatness of the Lord
and stand with them to bless God
and to pray for his guidance and protection.

Lord, have mercy: Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy: Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy: Lord, have mercy.
Holy Mary, Mother of God: pray for us.
Holy Angels of God: pray for us.
St David: pray for us...
St Winfred:		
St Cadog:	
St Dyfan:
St Seiriol:
St Teilo:
St Non:
St Woolos:
St Brynach:
St Padarn:
St Beuno:
St Asaph:
St Melangell:
St Euddogwy:
St Peblig:
St Samson:
St Tydfil:
St Deiniol:
St Cynog:
St Cybi:
St Illtud:
St Tysilio:
St Dyfrig:
St Cynidr:
St Tathan: pray for us...

The names of other Saints may be inserted here

all the Saints of Wales: pray for us.
all God's People: pray for us.
Lord Jesus Christ,
Son of the living God:have mercy on us.
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer: Lord Jesus, hear our prayer.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Loving Father,
may our nation once again
become a land of song,
with the prayer and witness of the saints
echoing across our land
and filling the hearts of all people
with the good news of your Kingdom. 

As we sing your praises 
and stand with all the Saints of our land,
may the ‘Croeso’ stir in our hearts
as we welcome your Son into our lives,
until we come to our heavenly country
where all who love you
will worship you forever.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

LINKS & INFO

These and other resources may be found in our Flat Holm pilgrimage Manual, ‘Here in this Place’. More details at www.southcardiffministryarea.co.uk/flat-holm

Pilgrimage Prayers

Prayers in Places

Litany of Welsh Saints

LINKS & INFO

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