Blackfriars Catholic Churches Partnership
A party of around 100 pilgrims set out from the Blackfriars Partnership parishes on 31 August, the feast of St Aidan, to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Father Martin Morris, Dean of our Partnership, lead the pilgrimage and was accompanied by Endre Komos, a Seminarian at Oscott College, Birmingham, who is currently working with Father Martin in our parishes.
Father Martin said:
"We are so Blessed to have in our Diocese the holy island of Lindisfarne. The dramatic scenery of this part of the world, especially the causeway pilgrim route is one that truly lifts the heart and mind to God. It has been a great devotion of Christians over the centuries to travel to Lindisfarne in search for the truth and meaning of human life.
"In the pilgrim walk across the causeway as we prayed together, and our young people carried the cross before us, we were reminded that only in Christ Jesus do we see the one who is our Way, Truth and Life.
"On the feast of St. Aidan, we reflected on his motto, "Deus Lux Nostrae":
God is our light; may the grace and beauty of our time together on pilgrimage be the light that guides and sustains us on the pilgrim path of life.”
The weather was kind to us and around half of the pilgrims walked across the causeway on the three miles of the Pilgrims’ Route, led in prayer and hymns by Endre and guided safely by Mike Robe from the SVP Centre on Holy Island and his team, using hand-held radios. Their help and care were much appreciated by everyone as the terrain became demanding. Apparently storm ‘Arwen’, back in November 2021, was responsible for the shifting the sandbanks of the Pilgrim Route, making the walk difficult in parts. We did all make it across safely!
Father Martin then celebrated Mass in St Aidan’s chapel with retired priest Father Barrie Cummins concelebrating and with enthusiastic hymn singing and prayerful responses from the congregation. Inevitably we met other pilgrims from our Diocese, and the atmosphere was friendly and congenial.
After stopping in Seahouses, for our meal of the day, we set off home filled with joy, full of the Holy Spirit and with happy memories of a wonderful Partnership’ day out.
Thanks to a St John Vianney’s Parishioner for sharing this report of the enjoyable, peaceful, spiritual and memorable day.
