Clifton Diocese Annual Glastonbury Pilgrimage & Altar Servers’ Rally
Since the restoration of the Shrine by the Holy See in 1955, Glastonbury
has once again become a centre of pilgrimage. In the Diocesan Calendar,
the Pilgrimage to Glastonbury is one of the major public Acts of
Witness celebrated by the parishes of the diocese. Each year priests
and parishioners from around the diocese and beyond will attend in
thousands. All are welcome at Glastonbury.
The 2004 pilgrimage takes place on Sunday 11 July, when the statue of Our Lady, in accordance with tradition, will be taken down from her pillar overlooking the Shrine in St Mary’s church and transported from there to Glastonbury Tor in preparation for the procession of pilgrims, praying the Rosary and singing hymns.
The Tor, standing prominently above the Abbey and the town of Glastonbury is significant as the spot where the last Abbot of Glastonbury, Blessed Richard Whiting and his fellow monks Roger James and John Thorne were martyred in 1539.
There, in Tor Field, Bishop Declan Lang of Clifton, clergy and a multitude of pilgrims will once again gather around Our Lady’s ancient image, bedecked with flowers for the occasion, to celebrate a Liturgy of the Word in commemoration of the Martyrs. Then, at 2.15 pm, the statue is hoisted on the shoulders of pilgrim volunteers, to lead the great Rosary procession, which will descend from the Tor down into the ancient town centre, through the streets to the Abbey gates.
As the procession of pilgrims, headed by Our Lady of Glastonbury, makes its way through the town, these same streets will echo with the prayers of the Rosary and the hymns of veneration, proclaiming a remarkable witness of Faith.
At 2.45 pm the procession arrives at the Abbey and the statue will be carried to the remains of the beautiful Norman Lady Chapel, Our Lady returning to repose close to the very spot on which her original little wattle Shrine stood in pre-Saxon England. Then, at 3.30 pm, as the clergy gather to herald the beginning of the great Mass, the statue will be carried in procession to the Sanctuary of the Abbey and placed adjacent to the Altar where Bishop Declan will concelebrate.
Immediately opposite the Abbey ruin, on the other side of Magdalene Street, is St Mary’s, not only a thriving parish, but so much more; this is the church in which the Shrine of Our Lady of Glastonbury was restored.
Here, at the Shrine, pilgrims not wishing to join the procession from the Tor will have the opportunity to join in Prayer of the Holy Rosary at 1.00pm, followed at 1.30pm by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, during which visiting priests will be available to hear confession and the Shrine’s Healing Ministry will be offering Healing Prayer.
These services will conclude at 2.30 pm to give pilgrims time to make their way to the Abbey before the procession from the Tor arrives at the Abbey gates.
2004 marks the 150th Anniversary of the promulgation of the Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception and, in honour of this anniversary the theme chosen for this year’s pilgrimage is “Mary, Conceived Without Sin”.
The guest preacher will be the Right Reverend Thomas Matthew Burns SM, Bishop in Ordinary to H.M. Forces.
Musical director, Richard Jeffrey-Gray and Father Kevin Knox-Lecky from Glastonbury, are together reviewing the music of the Liturgy and the choice of hymns, to make the whole celebration more joyful and prayerful, encouraging full participation of the congregation.
What of you pilgrims who are prepared to walk or cycle great distances, from all over the Diocese and beyond, to attend the pilgrimage. Make yourselves known to those at the Offertory table in front of the Lady Chapel as you arrive. Give your parishes and numbers and then perhaps some of you can manage a few more steps in the Offertory Procession.
This year, for the first time, the Diocesan Altar Servers’ Rally will be combined with the Pilgrimage. The beautiful and spacious grounds of Glastonbury Abbey in which to enjoy their picnic lunch (at around 12 noon), then games and other activities, followed by the experience of the Pilgrimage Mass in the Abbey at 3.30 pm, provide all the makings of an excellent Rally.
Posters and full details of the pilgrimage are being circulated to every parish in the Clifton Diocese.
To attend Mass as part of a huge congregation of pilgrims once again filling the Abbey at Glastonbury, never ceases to be a remarkable, spiritually moving and joyous occasion. But this year especially, what better way could the Diocese as a Parish commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Immaculate Conception, than to follow in the footsteps of millions before us and proclaim our devotion to Mary in this most ancient centre of veneration?
Kim Woolmer
Information for those attending
The theme of this year’s Pilgrimage is “Mary, Conceived Without Sin”
Please bring your parish and organisation banners and carry them in the procession from the Tor. Afterwards, during Mass, they will be displayed at the side of the Altar.
Rosary: 1.00 pm
You are invited to visit St Mary’s Church, the Shrine of Our Lady of Glastonbury, to join in prayer of the Rosary at 1.00 pm, followed by:
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Confessions and Healing Prayer: 1.30 pm
For those pilgrims not wishing to join the procession from the Tor, in the church there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Confessions will be heard and The Glastonbury Healing Ministry will be offering Healing Prayer. These ministries will conclude at 2.30 pm to give attendees time to make their way to the Abbey before the procession from the Tor arrives at the Abbey Gate.
Tor ascent: 1.15 pm and
Liturgy of the Word in commemoration of the Glastonbury Martyrs: 1.50 pm
Those Pilgrims ascending the Tor should assemble in the field at the base of the Tor from 1.15 pm, where a Liturgy of the Word with hymns, in commemoration of the Glastonbury Martyrs, will start at 1.50 pm. This will be followed by:
The Rosary Procession to the Abbey: 2.15 pm
At 2.15pm Father Alan Finlay will lead the Rosary procession from the Tor, through the town to the Abbey ruins. Parish Priests are invited to join the procession.
Mass in the Abbey Grounds: 3.30 pm
The procession of Pilgrims arrives at the Main Abbey Gate at 3.00pm. Concelebrated Mass will commence at 3.30pm. The Guest Preacher, Right Reverend Thomas Matthew Burns SM, Bishop in Ordinary to H. M. Forces, will give the homily. In the Abbey, areas near the centre aisle will be set aside for the handicapped and near the front for those with impaired hearing, for whom an induction loop system will be available. Please be guided by the stewards during the distribution of Holy Communion. There will be an offertory collection during Mass, towards the upkeep of the Shrine of Our Lady of Glastonbury. A collection will also be taken at the gate as you depart after Mass, for those missed during the offertory.
Stewards assistance; four key locations:
When you arrive in Glastonbury there will be stewards present at four locations; the coach de-bussing point in Bere Lane, at St Mary’s Church, on the Tor and in the Abbey grounds. Identifiable by the gold ‘Stewards’ armbands or Knights collars they will be wearing, they will be happy to answer any queries you may have.
Badges and Programmes. Pilgrimage Medals
The sticker badges, which you must wear to gain entry to the Abbey grounds, can be obtained from the stewards on duty at these key locations. Programmes containing the words for the hymns and prayers on the procession, and full details of the Mass in the Abbey grounds, are also available from the stewards, in return for a donation (£1.00 is suggested) towards Pilgrimage expenses. Programmes can also be obtained at tables positioned by St Mary’s Church and in the Abbey grounds, where Pilgrimage Medals, postcards and candles may also be purchased.
Refreshments and toilet facilities. Safety:
Light refreshments, sandwiches, hot and cold drinks, will be available from a tea-tent in the Abbey grounds, until half an hour before the Mass commences and again directly after the Mass.
Toilet facilities will be available for all in the Abbey grounds. Members of St John’s Ambulance Brigade will be on duty.
Diocesan Altar Servers’ Rally, from 12 noon:
The Rally will start in the Abbey grounds with a pic-nic lunch at around 12 noon, followed by games and other activities until the Pilgrimage Mass at 3.30 pm, which we hope to attend as group. Please make sure that you obtain sticker badges to from the stewards to gain entrance to the Abbey, where you will be directed to the gathering.
General consideration:
As you will be guests of the owner of the Tor field and the Trustees of Glastonbury Abbey, will you please treat their property with respect, leaving it in good order and free from litter.
Useful URL : http://www.glastonburyshrine.co.uk
The 2004 pilgrimage takes place on Sunday 11 July, when the statue of Our Lady, in accordance with tradition, will be taken down from her pillar overlooking the Shrine in St Mary’s church and transported from there to Glastonbury Tor in preparation for the procession of pilgrims, praying the Rosary and singing hymns.
The Tor, standing prominently above the Abbey and the town of Glastonbury is significant as the spot where the last Abbot of Glastonbury, Blessed Richard Whiting and his fellow monks Roger James and John Thorne were martyred in 1539.
There, in Tor Field, Bishop Declan Lang of Clifton, clergy and a multitude of pilgrims will once again gather around Our Lady’s ancient image, bedecked with flowers for the occasion, to celebrate a Liturgy of the Word in commemoration of the Martyrs. Then, at 2.15 pm, the statue is hoisted on the shoulders of pilgrim volunteers, to lead the great Rosary procession, which will descend from the Tor down into the ancient town centre, through the streets to the Abbey gates.
As the procession of pilgrims, headed by Our Lady of Glastonbury, makes its way through the town, these same streets will echo with the prayers of the Rosary and the hymns of veneration, proclaiming a remarkable witness of Faith.
At 2.45 pm the procession arrives at the Abbey and the statue will be carried to the remains of the beautiful Norman Lady Chapel, Our Lady returning to repose close to the very spot on which her original little wattle Shrine stood in pre-Saxon England. Then, at 3.30 pm, as the clergy gather to herald the beginning of the great Mass, the statue will be carried in procession to the Sanctuary of the Abbey and placed adjacent to the Altar where Bishop Declan will concelebrate.
Immediately opposite the Abbey ruin, on the other side of Magdalene Street, is St Mary’s, not only a thriving parish, but so much more; this is the church in which the Shrine of Our Lady of Glastonbury was restored.
Here, at the Shrine, pilgrims not wishing to join the procession from the Tor will have the opportunity to join in Prayer of the Holy Rosary at 1.00pm, followed at 1.30pm by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, during which visiting priests will be available to hear confession and the Shrine’s Healing Ministry will be offering Healing Prayer.
These services will conclude at 2.30 pm to give pilgrims time to make their way to the Abbey before the procession from the Tor arrives at the Abbey gates.
2004 marks the 150th Anniversary of the promulgation of the Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception and, in honour of this anniversary the theme chosen for this year’s pilgrimage is “Mary, Conceived Without Sin”.
The guest preacher will be the Right Reverend Thomas Matthew Burns SM, Bishop in Ordinary to H.M. Forces.
Musical director, Richard Jeffrey-Gray and Father Kevin Knox-Lecky from Glastonbury, are together reviewing the music of the Liturgy and the choice of hymns, to make the whole celebration more joyful and prayerful, encouraging full participation of the congregation.
What of you pilgrims who are prepared to walk or cycle great distances, from all over the Diocese and beyond, to attend the pilgrimage. Make yourselves known to those at the Offertory table in front of the Lady Chapel as you arrive. Give your parishes and numbers and then perhaps some of you can manage a few more steps in the Offertory Procession.
This year, for the first time, the Diocesan Altar Servers’ Rally will be combined with the Pilgrimage. The beautiful and spacious grounds of Glastonbury Abbey in which to enjoy their picnic lunch (at around 12 noon), then games and other activities, followed by the experience of the Pilgrimage Mass in the Abbey at 3.30 pm, provide all the makings of an excellent Rally.
Posters and full details of the pilgrimage are being circulated to every parish in the Clifton Diocese.
To attend Mass as part of a huge congregation of pilgrims once again filling the Abbey at Glastonbury, never ceases to be a remarkable, spiritually moving and joyous occasion. But this year especially, what better way could the Diocese as a Parish commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Immaculate Conception, than to follow in the footsteps of millions before us and proclaim our devotion to Mary in this most ancient centre of veneration?
Kim Woolmer
Information for those attending
The theme of this year’s Pilgrimage is “Mary, Conceived Without Sin”
Please bring your parish and organisation banners and carry them in the procession from the Tor. Afterwards, during Mass, they will be displayed at the side of the Altar.
Rosary: 1.00 pm
You are invited to visit St Mary’s Church, the Shrine of Our Lady of Glastonbury, to join in prayer of the Rosary at 1.00 pm, followed by:
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Confessions and Healing Prayer: 1.30 pm
For those pilgrims not wishing to join the procession from the Tor, in the church there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Confessions will be heard and The Glastonbury Healing Ministry will be offering Healing Prayer. These ministries will conclude at 2.30 pm to give attendees time to make their way to the Abbey before the procession from the Tor arrives at the Abbey Gate.
Tor ascent: 1.15 pm and
Liturgy of the Word in commemoration of the Glastonbury Martyrs: 1.50 pm
Those Pilgrims ascending the Tor should assemble in the field at the base of the Tor from 1.15 pm, where a Liturgy of the Word with hymns, in commemoration of the Glastonbury Martyrs, will start at 1.50 pm. This will be followed by:
The Rosary Procession to the Abbey: 2.15 pm
At 2.15pm Father Alan Finlay will lead the Rosary procession from the Tor, through the town to the Abbey ruins. Parish Priests are invited to join the procession.
Mass in the Abbey Grounds: 3.30 pm
The procession of Pilgrims arrives at the Main Abbey Gate at 3.00pm. Concelebrated Mass will commence at 3.30pm. The Guest Preacher, Right Reverend Thomas Matthew Burns SM, Bishop in Ordinary to H. M. Forces, will give the homily. In the Abbey, areas near the centre aisle will be set aside for the handicapped and near the front for those with impaired hearing, for whom an induction loop system will be available. Please be guided by the stewards during the distribution of Holy Communion. There will be an offertory collection during Mass, towards the upkeep of the Shrine of Our Lady of Glastonbury. A collection will also be taken at the gate as you depart after Mass, for those missed during the offertory.
Stewards assistance; four key locations:
When you arrive in Glastonbury there will be stewards present at four locations; the coach de-bussing point in Bere Lane, at St Mary’s Church, on the Tor and in the Abbey grounds. Identifiable by the gold ‘Stewards’ armbands or Knights collars they will be wearing, they will be happy to answer any queries you may have.
Badges and Programmes. Pilgrimage Medals
The sticker badges, which you must wear to gain entry to the Abbey grounds, can be obtained from the stewards on duty at these key locations. Programmes containing the words for the hymns and prayers on the procession, and full details of the Mass in the Abbey grounds, are also available from the stewards, in return for a donation (£1.00 is suggested) towards Pilgrimage expenses. Programmes can also be obtained at tables positioned by St Mary’s Church and in the Abbey grounds, where Pilgrimage Medals, postcards and candles may also be purchased.
Refreshments and toilet facilities. Safety:
Light refreshments, sandwiches, hot and cold drinks, will be available from a tea-tent in the Abbey grounds, until half an hour before the Mass commences and again directly after the Mass.
Toilet facilities will be available for all in the Abbey grounds. Members of St John’s Ambulance Brigade will be on duty.
Diocesan Altar Servers’ Rally, from 12 noon:
The Rally will start in the Abbey grounds with a pic-nic lunch at around 12 noon, followed by games and other activities until the Pilgrimage Mass at 3.30 pm, which we hope to attend as group. Please make sure that you obtain sticker badges to from the stewards to gain entrance to the Abbey, where you will be directed to the gathering.
General consideration:
As you will be guests of the owner of the Tor field and the Trustees of Glastonbury Abbey, will you please treat their property with respect, leaving it in good order and free from litter.
Useful URL : http://www.glastonburyshrine.co.uk
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