Our Year of Pilgrimage.
A pilgrimage is a special journey that we go on to deepen our faith in God.
Our whole lives are a pilgrimage to heaven. We spend our time on earth journeying with God and looking forward to knowing Him better in Heaven.
This year we invite our school community; children, staff, governors and parents to become pilgrims and to go on our own special journey, a virtual and real pilgrimage which will help us to deepen our faith in God and live life to the full, building a better world.
Why a year of pilgrimage?
Lourdes is a really important place of pilgrimage for Catholics, which 6 million people go to each year. St Bernadette, who saw visions of Our Lady there, is buried in Lourdes. This term, some of St Bernadette’s holy relics (bones) are touring the UK. We shall be joining in this important pilgrimage and experiencing real and virtual pilgrimages as we journey together through the year.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols says,
“The pilgrimage of St Bernadette’s relics offers us a welcome opportunity to bear active witness to our Faith, joining with one another across our many communities to encounter God’s love and find spiritual, emotional, and psychological healing and renewal.”
https://diocesehn.org.uk/news/st-bernadette-relic-tour-2022
During November we made a pilgrimage around our school visiting class prayer areas and remembering our loved ones who have died.
In December we made a pilgrimage to the manger reflecting on Mary’s journey from the Annunciation when she was called to be the mother of Jesus, to her visit to see her cousin Elizabeth and finishing with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem after a long and arduous journey.
In March we raised money for the Turkey and Syria earthquake appeal by going on pilgrimage around our beautiful grounds and local countryside. We walked and chatted and had fun whilst being sponsored by our school and parish community.
During Lent we took part in a spiritual journey, following the way of the cross with Jesus.
In May we honoured Mary by walking in procession to our peace garden and laying flowers by her statue.
Year 5 went on pilgrimage to Aylesford priory. They journey together and celebrated Mass.
In June 2023 we took part in our annual Blessed Sacrament Procession. We walked in pilgrimage from school to Our Lady and St Vincent Church. We walked in silence and when we arrived Fr Shaun led us in Benediction.
God of our journey
Be with us during this year of pilgrimage
And guide our feet along this path of life.
Be our companion by day and night
And may we feel your presence at our side.
Keep us safe and help us to grow closer to you as we strive to build a better world.
Through Christ our Lord
Amen
