‘We are rediscovering the power of pilgrimage’ – Archbishop

A renewed interest in pilgrimage reveals a need for people to slow down, simplify their lives and find space for reflection, said the Archbishop of Wales.

In a service to mark 900 years of the Papal recognition of St Davids as a pilgrimage destination, Archbishop Andrew John said the Cathedral continued to draw thousands of people each year to visit the shrine of St David. There was, he said, an “unexpected and even counter cultural” rediscovery of the power of pilgrimage in response to a speed of life which could be “relentless”.

The Archbishop was giving the address at the national service in celebration of St David, the Patron Saint of Wales, on the 900th anniversary of his international recognition and that of St Davids as a place of pilgrimage. In 1123 St Davids was granted a privilege from Pope Callixtus II in Rome who declared that two pilgrimages to St Davids were equal to one journey to Rome. Though pilgrims had been travelling to St Davids from the time of Dewi Sant himself in the 6th Century, this led to increasing numbers making their way to St Davids to pray at the Cathedral.

The bilingual service was part of a year-long series of events to mark the anniversary. It took place on July 25, the Feast of St James, the patron saint of pilgrims. It was attended by the Church in Wales bishops, representatives of other churches and organisations across Wales, as well as pilgrims.

Archbishop Andrew said, “One of the more recent developments in the landscape of faith has been a rediscovery of the power of journeying, of pilgrimage and experiencing this as something more than physical and where the journey is as important as the destination….

“This rediscovery has been unexpected and even counter cultural….. it has brought with it an awareness that life itself a journey and that we reflect, even if momentarily, that greater journey to which we are called which is knowing Christ and the transforming love of God….

“Tracing in our earthly walk, reminding ourselves of the pilgrimage to eternity seems to me at odds with a society which runs its course with little thought for eternity. The speed of life can be relentless but too often we look back and wonder where have the years all gone?”

Journeying draws us away from our busyness and routines, said Archbishop Andrew. It helps us press the reset button and crafts space so we can experience new things.

“The gift of pilgrimage today is the invitation to become aware of our mortality and of a canvas in which eternity are the margins. Stepping out of the everyday is to step into journey of faith which will one day be no longer a blur but a clear encounter with God, face to face.”

It also calls us to slow down and focus, like St David, on the essentials of life.

“Paired back, very often en route, there is new capacity to remove the clutter which can dominate our lives; things which we might need in the everyday (or not) but which can filter out the simple delights of simple things….

“The pilgrim shows us that a culture of MORE can inhibit the good life. And the political implications of this are as stark as they are challenging for us in our choices as individuals.”

During the service the choir performed two new pieces of music commissioned by the Cathedral for its Year of Pilgrimage. As pilgrims entered at start of the service they sang Cyfod Bererin (Rise Pilgrim), by Welsh composer Meirion Wynn Jones with words by the Dean of St Davids, Dr Sarah Rowland Jones. Later in the service, they sang The Pilgrimage, by Welsh composer Neil Cox, which was first performed earlier this year.

The service concluded with a blessing of St David’s Shrine by the Archbishop.

The Dean of St Davids, Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, said, “Today in this special anniversary service we gave thanks for a man who continues to inspire pilgrims after 900 years of international recognition. His teaching –‘Byddwch lawen, cadwch y ffydd, a gwnewch y pethau bychain – be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things’ - remains a powerful moral compass for people of all faiths and none, particularly as we seek our way through life’s uncertain times.

“Pilgrimage - journeying with spiritual intent to a sacred space - has again surged in popularity, and for good reason. Outer journeying stimulates inner journeying of the spirit, and can help mental and physical health too.

“People coming to St Davids so often find themselves profoundly touched by being in this sacred space. In medieval times the Shrine offered pilgrims a particular focus, and today we point out that the Shrine, like Saint David himself, should be seen less as the destination, but rather as a signpost encouraging us closer to Dewi’s God and ours.”

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