CAFOD LiveSimply Holy Island Pilgrimage 2008
Pilgrims gather at St Aidan's Statue
A great number of pilgrims enjoyed taking part in the annual CAFOD LiveSimply Hexham & Newcastle Pilgrimage to Holy Island on Saturday 14th June. The day was a great success, pilgrims coming from Hexham and Newcastle diocese, and from Middlesbrough diocese.
For most of the time the weather was good and the sun even shone on occasion. This year, because of the tides, the pilgrims walked around the island rather than across the Causeway, providing a chance to take in fully the beautiful scenery and atmosphere of this nature reserve and holy place.
Pilgrims arrived on the island by 11am - before the island causeway became impassable with the rising tide. An opening liturgy took place beside St Aidan's statue outside the Priory then the Pilgrims set off on a 3-mile walk around the island. For those not walking, a special pilgrimage liturgy was prayed in St Aidan's Church.
Pilgrims walk across the island
In the opening liturgy there was a reflection written by Fr Jim O'Keefe connecting St Aidan and living simply, in which he said:
"When St Aidan arrived here on Lindisfarne in the year 635 from Iona off the West coast of Scotland the odds are that he walked here. He probably wore a habit made of pretty coarse cloth, made in the workshops of the Abbey on Iona. He woud have carried his bible and not much else.
"…It is difficult to imagine anyone better than Aidan, Cuthbert, Bede, Hilda, Coleman, Aelred and others living life more simply. They relied totally on local help and local produce, on local energy and local support. They copied books with the quills of local gulls flying around the island day and night. They were close to nature, they respected the earth."
During the walk CAFOD stewards guided walkers around the island, ready to help at stiles and muddy places. The scenery was magnificent; the sea, the fields and flowers, the constant singing of the birds, the gentle and peaceful atmosphere of the island, steeped as it is in the ancient Northern Saints, all combined to make an inspiring and enjoyable walk.
Many people from Middlesbrough Diocese also attended the Pilgrimage, and Dave Cross, the CAFOD organiser from Middlesbrough Diocese, was involved in the day's liturgy and planning.
Gathering for Liturgy
At four points along the walk pilgrims stopped to pray a special liturgy focussing on aspects of livesimply. During these liturgies pilgrims listened to readings and prayers. Robina Ssentongo, Director of Kitovu Mobile Aids Programme in Kenya, was quoted during the first liturgy:
"LiveSimply is not about making people suffer or depriving them of what they need. It's about solidarity, and sharing. It is about living simply so that others can have a better life."
A brief spell of rain during mass at the end of the day did not dampen anyone's enthusiasm
By their presence on the walk so many people gave witness to how important it is to livesimply. Terry Harris, a pilgrim taking part in the walk, and from St John Boste, in Washington, said:
"It's been a splendid day. At least 185 people took part in this walk, and everyone has thoroughly enjoyed it. The liturgies were really inspiring and left us each with the livesimply message to take home today. The Walk has become almost a national event; Holy Island is such a special place to come to and attracts people from far away. To me it brings into reality how important living simply is in our everyday lives. It's when you see numbers like this that you can see that livesimply can have an effect."
Brother Damian and the community at St Mary's Franciscan Vicarage very kindly opened their beautiful gardens for the pilgrims to sit in over lunch; these gardens offered a unique and inspiring view of the coastline and St Cuthbert's Island.
Fr Tony Owens and Canon Dan Spaight celebrate mass
At the end of the afternoon Fr Tony Owens, parish priest of St Aidan's, Seahouses and Holy Island, and Canon Dan Spaight from Christ the King, Thornaby-on-Tees in Middlesbrough Diocese, celebrated Mass for the gathered pilgrims. This was in the open air at St Aidan's statue near the village centre. The threatened rain held off for most of the day; it was only towards the end of Mass that umbrellas had to come out as the rain started.
All in all, it was a wonderful day, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.
Next year's Pilgrimage is already planned - Sat 13th June 2009
Watch short (2 minute) video (wmv 14Mb - needs broadband)
Listen to podcast recorded during the pilgrimage