The Parish Pilgrimage to Salisbury duly took place on Wednesday
28th July when in brilliant early morning sunshine thirty four
pilgrims - including Fr Jim and Sr Therese - boarded the coach for
Salisbury. Arriving in good time we revived in the Cathedral
Refectory where we were joined by erstwhile CC parishioners
Anne Watson and Denis Ingoe plus two of Denis's new parish
friends.
Before the pilgrimage, we had told the Cathedral Guides
Team that our particular interest was about how and
when Christianity came to the Saxons and about how the Church
had then developed in Wessex. The guides were very welcoming and
responded splendidly. We split into three groups for the
interesting tour of the Cathedral and the Chapter House.
The Cathedral was consecrated to Our Blessed Lady and perhaps,
St Osmund is the most well known "Salisbury" saint. Fr Jim
celebrated Mass in the Trinity Chapel which has the memorial
tomb to St Osmund directly in front of the altar. Our liturgy was
dedicated to St Osmund (reknowned for medical cures) and Fr Jim was
on his usual very best form. Indeed we all felt wonderfully
restored afterwards!
Then lunch, followed by free time and private visits to the
Catholic Church of St Osmund's (just outside of the Cathedral
Close) and the town before returning to Corpus Christi.
All in all a joyous and spiritual parish experience.