A group of 14 Pilgrims walked and shared the first of a new season of pilgrim experiences from Whalley Abbey to Blackburn Cathedral recently, writes Carolyn Johnson, from St Hilda's Church at Bilsborrow and an experienced walking guide.
The pilgrimage was led by Carolyn and Rev. Hilary Murphy, resident chaplain at the Abbey.
The Pilgrims gathered for an early start with prayer and a Blessing in the Abbey Chapel.
As they set off they walked to the nearby churchyard to learn about three medieval crosses from vicar Rev. Jonathan Carmyllie before making their way along tracks and through pastures and beautiful woods, with spectacular views by Whalley Nab to reach Great Harwood.
Here they visited the ancient but living church of St Bartholomew and, with the vicar Rev Graham Birch, they admired the artefacts from more than seven centuries of history, including the grave of John Mercer who devised the process of ‘mercerisation’.
In the attractive park they ate the packed lunches prepared by the chef from the Abbey and enjoyed further refreshments from the Churchfield House Café.
Once refreshed they walked through the town, admiring the Town Hall and illustrious history of the cotton trade and veered off through the large cemetery to join the Leeds Liverpool canal and walked six miles on the tow path to Blackburn noticing allotments, derelict mills and factories, mosques, modern retail parks and massive new factories with plenty of wildlife and canal barges.
At Eanam Wharfe they exited the canal to a warm welcome at Blackburn Cathedral. Ian White, the Chief Operations Officer, met them with refreshments and provided an illuminating talk and guided tour of the Cathedral.
Visiting St Martin’s Chapel for reflective prayer they also received a stamp for the pilgrim’s passports, before enjoying Choral Evensong. Leaving with enough time to catch the train back to Whalley.
They walked from the station, passing under the Viaduct and the ancient gatehouse back to the Abbey, completing a 10-mile pilgrimage, with new friends and special, spiritual conversations.
A sumptuous dinner was served in the Abbey followed by a talk on Pilgrimage from Rev. Nicholas Heale. Hilary gave out scallop shells, a symbol of pilgrimage, having explained the spiritual significance of the shell.
Some pilgrims then stayed for the night, rising the following morning for a hearty breakfast and joining in with the Eucharist celebrated by Rev. Hilary.
Due to the success of the first Pilgrimage, Whalley Abbey is to arrange more Pilgrim Experiences.
Keep checking the website www.whalleyabbey.org to check when the next one will take place.