Double Celebration at All Saints

The 1st November 2024 was indeed a red letter day for All Saints as not only did we mark our patronal feast, but also celebrated the 25th anniversary of Fr Nicholas as our Vicar.

With the Church full of friends from near and far, the Festal Mass began in true All Saints style with a procession around the Church, which was joined enthusiastically by the assembled congregation. With sublime music from our magnificent choir, prayers and readings that reminded us of that great cloud of witness that surrounds us, we gave thanks to God for their lives and the example of holiness they give us.

The collect for All Saints Day, sums this up thus:

Almighty God; You have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship In the mystical body of your son Christ our Lord: Grant us grace so to follow your blessed saints In all virtuous and godly living that we may come to those inexpressible joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you: Through Jesus Christ Our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen 

Following the Mass the celebratory reception began with drinks and a wonderful bring and share supper provided by members of the parish. A cocktail, specially created for the occasion and named The Cranfield was presented; and along with toasts and speeches, Fr. Nicholas’ quarter century as our Vicar was certainly celebrated in style.

  

PILGRIM STEPS

A very wet and grey morning welcomed the band of 12 Pilgrims as we huddled against the walls of All Saints to say our short Pilgrim Office before taking our first steps across the Heath towards our destination - the Shrine of Edward the Confessor.

Navigating the route we pass through and by street markets, housing estates, main roads, football stadiums and for some of the way we had to share our pilgrimage with the Saturday morning runners in Southwark Park.

Eventually the rain began to ease and we arrived at the River Thames, at Bermondsey Reach for our traditional photo opportunity. 

The merry band then continued along, chatting, sharing stories and fellowship until, right on schedule we stopped for a well earned coffee break at the Sicilian Cafe in Shad Thames.

With the end in sight, we remained on the South Bank, passing under the London Eye and over Westminster Bridge, where once in the Abbey we happily met with others from All Saint’s  who had taken a different route in.

The Festal Mass, was, as always glorious, with the Abbey Choir in magnificent voice and the liturgy both solemn and dignified as befitting such a place. The Bishop of Ramsbury preached a sermon about Pilgrim Steps in which he considered; in whose steps are we walking when we make a pilgrimage and what path do we leave behind for others to follow.

After the Mass, all the Pilgrims are able to visit the Shrine and pray there. There are small alcoves around which, at which  you can kneel and, for a moment, be hidden as you join your prayers to the prayers of the centuries of pilgrims who have asked St Edward for his intercession.

The Abbey belongs to the Pilgrims that day, and you are invited to explore this great place of worship prayerfully without the usual hordes of tourists.

By the time we left the Abbey, the skies had cleared and Westminster was bathed in autumnal sunlight. It was a fitting end to a day walking the way of the Pilgrim: full of faith, hope and fellowship.

Saint Edward the Confessor - Pray for us

NM - 20/10/24