Catholic Children's Society (W)

Walk a Mile - Student Pilgrimage

On Wednesday, 4th July 2007 the Annual pilgrimage walk of students from Catholic schools throughout out the Westminster Diocese took place, starting at Tyburn and culminating in a wonderful Liturgy in the Nave of Westminster Cathedral in London.  

This walk was in honour of St. John Southworth who was martyred at Tyburn in 1654 for providing Mass to Londoners.  The ceremony was celebrated by Bishop Bernard Longley, assisted by Dean Jim Richards, also CEO of the Catholic Children's Society.

Three Blaisdon Old Boys were privileged to be asked to assist with the final part of the walk into the Cathedral leading up to the uplifting Liturgy.  The three were provided with white Alba and girdles.  Charles Springett stood just inside the large central doors to the Cathedral and guided each pilgrim to touch the foot of the large St Peter bronze statue as they entered the cathedral.  John Ward was stationed at the chapel and tomb of St. John Southworth to encourage each pilgrim to bow to the tomb of St, John Southworth as they passed by -many of them knelt and blessed themselves as they did so.  Mick Grange was stationed at the final spot just before they took up their places in the Nave for the Liturgy.  Here he encouraged each pilgrim to toss a pebble into a wicker basket before a specially erected Crucifix.

Then the music and the ceremony was provided, in the main, by the pilgrims themselves.  Bishop Bernard, in his homily thanked all the young people who undertook the walk and who were involved in the music, etc. during the Liturgy.  He stressed the need for all to be aware of the young and poor children in the Diocese for whom the Catholic Children's Society works so hard throughout the year.  At the end of the Peter Ward, Educational of the CCS(W) encouraged the Student Pilgrims to react to Bishop Bernard's Homily by filling in a pro-forma on their seats, which would give them the opportunity to become involved and help in the work for these poor children by the Catholic Children's Society. 

Happy Student Pilgrims arriving at their destination, Westminster Cathedral

This group is from John Ward's local Catholic Secondary School in Ickenham

Music by a Girls troupe from St. Michaels High School Garston

Pilgrims removing shoes before entering the Cathedral

Pilgrims processing the picture and relic of St. John Southworth through the Cathedral

The three Crusade of Rescue Old Boys with Bishop Bernard Longley and Deacon Jim Richards