Hyndburn Inter-parish pilgrimage to Holywell
Hyndburn Inter-parish pilgrimage to Holywell
Thu 8th Sep 2011
At our first large meeting of people interested in the Plater Project last November at Oswaldtwistle Mills, there was a widespread wish from representatives from all parishes for an opportuninty to get together to enrich our collective spiritual life.
This was picked up on by the 6 parish priests when they held their own spiritual retreat in April and led to a day pilgrimage on the last bank holiday in August when 40 of our parishioners from the Hyndburn parishes made an early start to travel by coach to Holywell, North Wales to the shrine of St. Winifred.
The name Holywell gives a clue that there is a 'holy well', a spring of water that has been a place of pilgrimage for hundreds of years, where pilgrims go and take to the waters and pray to St. Winifred who came from the town. Her story dates back to the middle ages when she was a yound woman who decided to cebome a nun. She became the object of desire of Caradog, a local knight who wanted to marry her but she declined and one day her tried to rape her. She faught off his attack but he brutally cut off her head. History records show that St. Bueno reattached her head and prayed to God for her life and she regained life.
The sping is housed in an old chapel area open to the elements and there is a pool where pilgrims can paddle or swim. There is also a separate tap on the wall to collect water. Some of our group had a paddle and one even went for a swim!
By the shine there is a well stocked shop and museum explaining the story of St. Winifred and the history of the shrine. Inside the museum, many stories of cure are recorded.
During the morning of our visit there was a short prayer. some of our party had lunch in the local convent and then in the afternoon, we has a private mass at the local church led by Fr Dowd and Fr Clarke.
The day was enjoyed by all and it was not too far to travel. Thank you to everyone invloved in organising the trip.
What's next?
Some of our social inclusion workgroups members are discussing inviting inspirational speakers to give talks and lead workshops for our inter-parish audience. If we held one session per season that would be four large get -togethers per year. Don't just watch this space, join in or start a conversation.