AOS Annual North East Regional Pilgrimage to Holy Island 2011
Tony McAvoy, the AOS North East Regional Co-ordinator, writes about the recent Pilgrimage to Holy Island:
“In the footsteps of the northern saints…”
Many thousands of people have made pilgrimages to Holy Island over the years, literally and figuratively walking in the footsteps of the northern saints in this most special of places;
“Lord, rock of our hearts,
From a sea swept island
You sent Aidan and Cuthbert
To sow your word fruitfully
Throughout our northern land and
You inspired Bede to understand
And speak your truth………”
So, on Saturday 25th June 2011, the Trustees, the National Director, Chaplains, volunteers and supporters of the Apostleship of the Sea tread this path once again as they participated in the eighth annual pilgrimage to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. Around 500 people were ultimately present from all over the region and beyond.
Recognising the influence of the northern saints, the pilgrimage began as usual with ‘Celtic Prayer on the Beach’; this has become the traditional opening to this prayerful and reflective day. Here a blend of music, prayer and readings sets the tone and atmosphere for the remainder of the pilgrimage. In bright sunshine, with St Cuthbert’s island in the background, pilgrims prayed, listened and sang while the sea gently lapped up on the shore. Prayers for seafarers; for absent friends; for the dead; for those who suffer; for our Bishops and for peace were interspersed with Celtic readings, “Tides and Seasons”, “The Gate of Glory”, “Until the tide turns”, and “I have seen the Lord”.
This year we were joined by members of the choir from Berwick and a group of musicians from St Bernadette’s and the Cathedral parishes, Middlesbrough. Their presence gave a great uplift to the singing during the beach service.
The pilgrimage was led by the Rt Rev Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton who is also Bishop for International Affairs, which was thought to be quite fitting given that seafarers, for whom we were praying, are drawn from all parts of the world.
At the end of this half hour of prayer, Bishop Declan gave the Blessing after which pilgrims were able to spend their own time in further prayer and reflection, perhaps having lunch or visiting the churches on the island. As usual there was a display of information about the work of the Apostleship of the Sea in St Aidan’s Catholic Church for visitors to see.
At 4.30pm the large group of pilgrims assembled again in the grounds of St Mary’s Anglican Church, next to the priory ruins for the outdoor Mass, which was to celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi.
Here Bishop Declan was assisted by Mgr Ronnie Brown (AOS Trustee), Fr Tony Owens (parish priest for St Aidan’s, Holy Island and St Aidan’s, Seahouses), Fr Brendan Kelly (parish priest and Deacon Jude Newton from Our Lady and St Cuthbert’s, Berwick upon Tweed), and Fr Tim Forbes-Turner, (Community Chaplain at Catterick Garrison). Altar servers from Berwick and Catterick were also present
In bright sunshine but with an awkward wind Mass began with the wonderful opening hymn “Hail Queen of Heaven” again with a wonderful contribution from musicians and choir which continued throughout the Mass.
In his homily, Bishop Declan stated that this was his first visit to Holy Island and how taken he was with the spirituality of the place where he now stood; he went on to say how impressed he was with the work being done around GB by the Apostleship of the Sea.
Additional hymns by the choir at communion, plus further music and soloist singing also added to the occasion. All too quickly however the Mass was over with the recessional hymn “Eternal Father, strong to save” which congregation sang heartily.
Finally, a surprise for all the pilgrims as piper Andrew Smith in full regalia stepped forward to the centre of the altar area and played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes, after which he went straight into “The Skye Boat Song” as he led Bishop and priests from the field. For some of the pilgrims this was a very emotional moment and all seemed delighted by this end to the day.
Tony McAvoy
AOS NE