Glastonbury Pilgrimage 2024

“Mary, Woman of Prayer”

The Pilgrimage programme for this year started on the morning of Sunday, 14th July. The day was dry with sunny intervals and moderate temperatures. The day began at the Shrine of Our Lady of Glastonbury with the recitation of the Rosary at 11.30am. The Shrine Church was filled with pilgrims from near and far. At noon, the Statue of Our Lady of Glastonbury was carried out of the Shrine and into the Abbey grounds. At the same time, in the Shrine, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed on the altar for Silent Adoration, and Confessions were heard by visiting priests.

In the Abbey grounds, Our Lady was stationed near where the Rosary Procession would start just over 2 hours later. A constant stream of pilgrims entered the grounds to venerate the Statue of Our Lady. Many pilgrims visited the tented Chapel near the entrance for healing prayer with the Shrine's Healing Ministry Team. Pilgrims were able to obtain refreshments from the St. Mary's Tea Tent. There was also a repository stall where pilgrims could purchase rosaries, statues of Our Lady, pilgrimage books, and other items.

Around 2.00pm, the pilgrims lined up for the Rosary Procession. We were honoured to have Glastonbury’s Mayor, Cllr Lokabandhu, and other Civic Dignitaries with us, including the Chairman of the Glastonbury Antiquarians Society. Also in procession were Knights and Dames of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, a member of the Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem, along with representatives from our ecumenical partners. Once again, the Knights of St. Columba marshalled the procession which went through the Abbey grounds and into the Abbey House gardens. The procession continued into Chilkwell Street and down the High Street. The Rosary was said, and hymns were sung while the pilgrims processed. The sides of the roads were crowded with onlookers, and many were taking photographs. The procession then turned the corner into Magdalene Street before re-entering the Abbey through the gates opposite the Shrine.

After making their way into the Nave of the Abbey, the pilgrims attended Mass which started at 3.30pm. There were around 1,000 people in attendance, nearly double the number who attended last year's pilgrimage! The Pilgrim Mass was celebrated by the new Bishop of Clifton, Rt. Rev. Bosco MacDonald. In his homily, Bishop Bosco compared following Jesus to a journey and advised that we should travel light, not burdened by excess baggage and challenges, but instead trust in God, who provides what we need in life. He emphasized that we honour Our Lady of Glastonbury in this special place, and we honour Mary because she understands that God cares for us and wants to be infinitely involved in every detail of every life He creates. After the Mass, volunteers at the tea tent were busy as pilgrims caught up with old friends over a cup of tea and a slice of cake!

Next year's Pilgrimage is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 13th July 2025.