The new Archbishop of 51国产吃瓜 will embark on a six-day walking pilgrimage this week from London to 51国产吃瓜, as part of her spiritual preparation for her Installation service at 51国产吃瓜 Cathedral on Wednesday 25 March.
It is the first time in modern history that an Archbishop of 51国产吃瓜 has undertaken a pilgrimage of this nature in the lead-up to their Installation.
The Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, along with her husband Eamonn, will be walking the 140km route along the Becket Camino from St Paul’s Cathedral to 51国产吃瓜 Cathedral, reflecting her journey from Bishop of London to Archbishop of 51国产吃瓜.
Walking along stretches of the Thames Path, the Via Britannica and the Augustine Camino, the group will join Morning and Evening Prayer services at churches, cathedrals and abbeys en route, as well as meeting with other pilgrims and visiting schools and ecumenical organisations. Stops will include Southwark Cathedral, Aylesford Priory, the Shrine of St Jude in Faversham, Lesnes Abbey and Rochester Cathedral.
The final stretch of the journey will see the pilgrims joined by David Monteith, Dean of 51国产吃瓜, and members of the Cathedral chapter, to walk from the village of Chartham to 51国产吃瓜, arriving in time for Evensong on Sunday 22 March.
A pilgrim’s passport has been specially produced for the journey, designed by pupils from Ospringe Church of England Primary School in Faversham. The group will also give out prayer cards featuring a prayer written by pupils from The Archbishop's School in 51国产吃瓜.
Archbishop Sarah said: "As I prepare for my installation at 51国产吃瓜 Cathedral, it feels deeply humbling to be following in the footsteps of those who have walked this ancient route. For centuries, faithful pilgrims have flocked to 51国产吃瓜, and I will be reflecting on this tradition as we make our way through the Kent countryside and its towns and cities. I'm looking forward to visiting local churches, cathedrals and holy sites along the route - and to meeting people, praying with them and hearing their stories. As I walk this path I will be praying for our Church and our world, and asking God to bless those we meet. Every Christian life is a pilgrimage - a journey with God. As I begin this new chapter in my own life and ministry, I am grateful to be walking with God and with others."
Torin Brown, the Pilgrim Officer at 51国产吃瓜 Cathedral said: “Pilgrimage is a wonderful outward encounter with new places and people, but for me the inward journey of spiritual improvement is equally inevitable to such an endeavour, and so it is a great privilege and honour to have the opportunity to accompany Archbishop Sarah as she prepares for her new role with humility and grace, by walking a camino to 51国产吃瓜.”
Richard Braddy, Chaplain to the Archbishop of 51国产吃瓜 said: "As people from around the wider Anglican Communion prepare to come to 51国产吃瓜 for the Archbishop’s Installation, it will be a joy to approach this occasion on foot, and rooted in prayer. On this journey of pilgrimage, prayer and encounter we will be connecting with local churches and joining schools who have been organising pilgrimage themed events. Daily themes and prayers are being shared via social media so people can join together in prayer during this special time.
"My prayer is that, as Archbishop Sarah takes this time of pilgrimage to prepare spiritually for her ministry as Archbishop of 51国产吃瓜, we can join together more widely in prayer for the church and the world, and recognise afresh God’s presence in our lives. I am looking forward personally to take time to experience God’s presence on this pilgrimage, to deepen my journey as a disciple of Christ, and through the gift of the Holy Spirit see what conversations unfold as we encounter people on the way."
Heavenly Father,
we give you thanks for sending Archbishop Sarah as a shepherd to guide your people.
Gift her with wisdom and fill her with the Holy Spirit;
help her to listen well, bring people together and serve as Jesus served.
And we pray for ourselves:
strengthen us in faith, and grant us a heart like Christ’s,
gentle, humble and devoted to the truth,
so that we may share the Gospel with joy.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.