I look forward
very much to meeting those of you who have booked for two weeks, one week, a
weekend or are joining us for just a day. In liasing with St Chad’s
Cathedral I understand we can obtain an Indulgence in this Holy Year for
making a Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Chad and to some this will be of prime
importance, However, perhaps of equal importance is the opportunity to “live
out” our Christian faith for two weeks in community and to share with those
we meet on route the saving love of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lesley Hill
Pilgrimage Contacts
The Pilgrimage can be contacted via
DABCEC, 4 Southgate drive, Crawley, West Sussex RH10
6RP
Co-ordinator
-Lesley Hill -
Bookings Secretary
– Pat Donachie -
Newsletter editor
- Mike Kanssen -
Why
do we bother?
Back in the hazy days of last summer, enjoying the
tastes of France on the banks of the Loire, it seemed like a good idea. I’d
completed one year as ‘Accommodation Officer’; the first week of the
pilgrimage had gone well; and, as far as I could tell from mobile-to-mobile
calls to Lesley, the second week was also working out. I wanted another go at
the job, to do some bits better with that year’s experience. So I gaily
volunteered to stay on.
Then the 25th anniversary was approaching.
We’d run a successful reunion for the 20th, and (as we’d met on
that first pilgrimage and kept in touch) I guess we felt some proprietorial
rights to host this one. In any case, I felt it was important, so I offered to
organise that.
And, as I started out on the accommodation and made
contacts in Lichfield, I wanted to help with that final stint, so I quickly
signed up to route plan the last day’s walk.
None of these individually is unreasonable, but I’d
also forgotten that this all happens in the busiest period for a consultancy
working largely on government projects. The net effect is that my workload
over the past few months has been at the same level as the aircraft that
shuttle me to and from Belfast on a regular basis.
So, not surprisingly, on various occasions others
have asked me, or I have asked myself, “Why do you do it, why do you
bother?” It’s a good question, one that got asked several times as
bookings failed to arrive, then got changed, then arrived in a flurry after
the closing date; as the halls I’d booked imposed difficult conditions, or
had to be cancelled; as I tried to find an opportunity to walk the route
through just once.
I suppose the thing that gets me through is the
feeling, which dates back to very early in the first pilgrimage in 1975, that
the pilgrimage matters. I find it hard to say why it matters, other than that
the pilgrimage has developed a practical spirituality that I find accessible
and hope is accessible to others, but matter it does.
Then as the reunion drew to a close, and we hurriedly
cleared the hall, I knew again why I do it. Yes, the pilgrimage matters. Yes,
there is satisfaction in making it happen. But the icing on the cake is you,
the pilgrims. You appreciate what we do; you co-operate with unreasonable rise
times; you muck in when there are things to be done; you even take the last
minute organisation of the celebration service in your stride. Most of all,
dare I say it, the pilgrimage matters to you too.
So here’s to the next 25 years; let’s work
together to take the pilgrimage forward, and share it with an ever-increasing
band of pilgrims. We’ve got a job to do, let’s get going!
Aidan
P.S. Less than an hour after you’d all left, when we’d stowed the remains away and settled down with a cup of tea, I swear I heard Meld say “Next time we should…” Next time? Oh yes, there’ll be a next time. But not for another 5 years – there are limits!
Pilgrim News
Many
congratulations to Mark Hopper & Merlyn de Souza who were married at St
Anthony's Church, Siolim, Goa on April 27th. I hear the Pilgrimage
was well represented at the wedding!
The
Wedding of Lesley Hill & John Brennan is to be held at St Andrews RC
Church, Brook Rd, Thornton Heath, Croydon, on 11th November 2000.
All Pilgrims are invited to the Nuptual Mass which begins at 1pm. (The Church
is 5 minutes from Thornton heath station.)
Dominic
O’Hara (Who 1st walked with us in 1977) begins his studies for
the priesthood at Wonersh in September. Please remember him in your prayers.
During
our Easter Pilgrimage Jess & I discovered that we are to have a New
Kanssen Pilgrim joining the Pilgrimage family. The arrival is expected in late
November, along with drastic changes to our lifestyle!
A large number of Pilgrims have again walked on the
annual Romero Walk organised by Terry and Jo Furse on 24th and 25th June from
Forrest Row to Shoreham, to raise money for El Salvador.
The aim of pilgrimage: taking the pilgrim vow
Coming up to another walking pilgrimage perhaps we should give some thought as to why we go on pilgrimage, and what our aims are. These aims could be, for example; spiritual - to get closer to God and one’s faith, or to define and strengthen faith where there is little or doubt, physical, - to take some strenuous exercise, and, social - to aim to get along with people better.
The aim or aims could remain personal or be shared with fellow pilgrims. They can be underpinned with taking a “vow” to try to achieve a desired goal by the end of the pilgrimage.
During the middle ages the key
element that defined a pilgrimage was the pilgrim's vow. This was taken in
public, before the bishop or a priest, and it marked the formal beginning of
the pilgrimage. Upon return, it would be the same bishop or priest who
declared the vow fulfilled, marking the person's return to normal life. Before
the vow, one was merely intending to go. After it, the pilgrimage had begun.
Most people set out in the very same hour.
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The bishop or priest would have given the intendant pilgrim the robe, scrip and staff that were the outward symbols of being a pilgrim and not merely a traveller or rambler. These special clothes first appeared in the 12th century; before this, pilgrims dressed more or less in ordinary clothes, and the change is almost certainly an effect of the First Crusade, with its distinctive symbolism.
The robe was a plain tunic of grey or brown, marked with a cross or scallop shell. The scrip was a leather pouch attached at the waist, supposedly carrying all the pilgrim's possessions, for he was supposed to put aside worldly luxury. The wealthy were inclined to ignore this inconvenient and uncomfortable tradition. In the 13th century was added a wide-brimmed hat, with a long scarf at the back that hung down and wound around the body to the waist.
The priest then blessed the pilgrim, who now made his vow, listing specifically which shrines he intended to visit. This was the specific contract of the pilgrimage - it was a promise to go to particular places. This promise would include what the pilgrim wanted to aim for during and at the end of the pilgrimage.
The blessing would be followed by a sermon and a mass. The pilgrim had already said goodbye to family and friends back at his home, but an important pilgrim might be followed out of town by hundreds or even thousands of people eager to share in the event. These would trail away quickly, though, and the pilgrim would soon enough be in the company of just his fellow pilgrims.
Sometimes, a great many people set out together, and the blessing ceremony became an event conducted for the whole group. The public nature of the ceremony, then, marked the mode change into pilgrimage very clearly. It ensured that the pilgrim himself knew that the pilgrimage had begun, and that the rest of the community knew it as well.
On our walking pilgrimages each pilgrim is called out by name at a service, and he or she declares, “I am here!” A cross representing the particular saint, destination or theme of the pilgrimage is hung around their neck. It is at this time that an inner vow can be undertaken: a pilgrim vow.
A pilgrim has been defined as, a person in motion, passing through territories not their own, seeking something we might call completion, or clarity; a goal to which only the spirit's compass points the way.
Pilgrimage reminds us of our condition on Earth as pilgrims walking towards Heaven. The way to get there is more important than the destination itself, the journey is a time for prayer, meditation and dialogue with God.
Make this, the first walking
pilgrimage of the new millenium, one both to enjoy, and to achieve your goal,
however small - it will become a building brick, bound with the mortar of
faith, creating a stronger pilgrim, progressing towards your celesstial
destination.
St. Chad Prayer
Almighty God, whose servant Chad, for the peace of the Church, relinquished the honours that had been thrust upon him, only to be rewarded with equal responsibility: keep us, we pray, from thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, and ready at all times to step aside for others, in honour preferring one another, that the cause of Christ may be advanced. In the name of him who washed his disciples' feet, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Danny Thomas July
2000
Positions
Vacant / Organisation
At the time of writing the second half of the
Pilgrimage was still without cover in the vital role of Catering Driver /
Assistant (with own car). Anyone who can help Francis with shopping &
cooking (instead of walking) please contact the Bookings Secretary – Pat
Donachie – or the Co-ordinator Lesley Hill
A
venue for the autumn reunion is still needed, could anyone who would be
willing to host this event please contact Lesley. She would also like to hear
any ideas for the 2001Pilgrimage Route or other comments on the general
pilgrimage set-up (should the dates or length change etc.)
The
pilgrimage AGM is to be on 17th September at 3pm in St Joseph's Parish Centre,
Ladbroke Rd, Redhill. All are invited to attend.
ECUMENISM QUESTIONNAIRE – YOUR VIEWS:
Nineteen responses to the questionnaire were received, several from
Pilgrims not walking last year.
1.
Aspects of worship and prayer important to you on Pilgrimage:
Words like “sharing”, “community”, “praying together” got frequent
mention. Many responses related
more closely to Question 3, so I have put them there.
2.
How would you like these aspects altered or improved?
More inclusive worship/less stress on the
Mass
6 responses
More “Eucharistic hospitality”
4 responses
OK as it is
3 responses
More time for reflection
1 response
More Iona, Taizé
1 response
“Structured” evening prayer
1 response
More pilgrim participation in Liturgy
1 response
A little prayer routine before setting
out each day
1 response
3.
What format, types of service, etc. would you like to have on our Pilgrimage
Mass
3 responses
Morning and Evening prayer
3 responses
God stops
2 responses
Co-celebration
2 responses
Morning and evening prayer but NOT Divine
Office
2 responses
More liturgies without Eucharist
1 response
More prayer and worship formats e.g.
Taize
1 response
Use non-RC ministers if possible
1 response
A mid-week prayer service for all
1 response
Broader source of music
1 response
Sharing e.g. “Agape” meal
1 response
Liturgies with themes e.g. Justice and
Peace
1 response
Ecumenical services provided by different
denominations
1 response
4.
What denomination are you?
Anglican 1: Methodist 2: RC 15: URC 1
5.
Any further comments or suggestions?
Keep lobbying RC episcopacy for
inter-communication on Ecumenical Pilgrims.
5 responses
Stay cool, practice what you are and be
tolerant
Wider publicity
“Pray and you go”, prepare yourself
for Godstops
Make alternative forms of service be seen
as main ones rather than add-ons, then Mass for those who want it.
Encourage individuals to organise
services and thus get diversity.
Form a prayer committee
Have no Eucharistic liturgies and thus
avoid hurt
Away with contrived co-celebrations and
the like, it is all or nothing
Turning a blind eye to intercommunion is
insulting: do it properly or avoid the issue
All should try to recruit non-RC
chaplains.
Many thanks to all respondents.
John Lamb
ààà THE ARROWING STORY
ààà
It
was in the summer of 1974 that I borrowed an orange Volkswagen Beetle and
spent a holiday with my Mum (RIP 1982), who was then fit and well, going out
for days exploring bits of the Holy Year Pilgrimage.
The exploration took us to a fascinating variety of places in Sussex:
Midhurst, Hartfield, Hurst Green, Rye, St Leonards, to name but a few.
As we walked along the country paths we wondered how many people would
reply to the adverts for the walk when they appeared, and how they would all
follow the lovely routes we were discovering.
It would be very tedious, we imagined, for a large group to walk
together, constantly having to either strive to keep up, or stop to wait, for
the party to progress together. And
so the arrowing system was devised in our minds and has been used over 25
years to keep the pilgrims on course.
The front markers, one of whom has thoroughly explored the
day’s walk, put up the trail of arrows, the pilgrims follow, and the back
markers take them all down leaving no trace of our route through the
countryside. The front markers
technique is briefly this: (If
the arrow trail looks different the pilgrims can suspect foul play!)
The arrow is placed in the direction of travel with the pin approx. 1” from its top edge (so that if the pin was loose and it could swivel, it would point in the direction of travel.) Having put up an arrow, the front markers look ahead and note the furthest point visible, and put up the next arrow near the end of that visible distance. Where there is a turn at least three arrows are place to indicate the change of direction, and at least one more confirmatory arrow a few yards down the new path. Where we go straight ahead at a junction, an arrow is put up not at the junction but just past it. The rule is “enough but not too many”.
The
arrows show us the way on our pilgrimage, like the Gospel of Christ’s love
does in our life.
Bill Haynes
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