Saturday 20 June 2015

Information for Pilgrims

Tel: 01727 890245 e-mail: pilgrimage@stalbanscathedral.org

www.stalbanscathedral.org

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The Story of Alban Alban lived during the third century in the Roman city of Verulamium. He was a worshipper of Roman gods, until one day he gave shelter to a stranger fleeing persecution. The stranger was a Christian priest, and Alban was so moved by his faith and courage that he asked to be taught more about Christianity. Before long the authorities came to arrest the fugitive priest. But Alban, inspired in his new-found faith, exchanged clothes with him, allowing him to escape. The Roman soldiers were furious at this deception and instead arrested Alban and brought him before the judge, who ordered that Alban should receive the punishment due to the priest, if he had indeed become a Christian. Alban refused to renounce his faith by sacrificing to the Roman gods, and instead declared: I am Alban, and I worship and adore the true and living God, who created all things. He was brought out of the town, across the river and up a hill to the site of his execution. Legend tells us that a spring of water miraculously appeared to quench Albans thirst; and the executioners eyes fell out after he had beheaded Alban. Alban is honoured as the first British martyr, and his grave (on which the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban was built) quickly became a place of pilgrimage. For over 1700 years, people have journeyed to this place to remember Alban, to pray for peace and healing, and to seek God. Giant puppets retell the story of Albans martyrdom. It is not only a stunning spectacle; it is a profoundly moving experience. Alban has long been an example of the passion that can erupt in the converted the willingness to give yourself wholly for what gives ultimate meaning to your life. To what lengths will we go, and how are we willing to offer our very lives, for that which grounds and sustains that life? The Alban Pilgrimage is an opportunity to reconnect with that invigorating, enlivening, and transforming passion.

If your group would like extra posters and flyers, please let us know and we will be happy to send you a supply.

Prayers which can be used at the beginning of the journey and on the return can be downloaded from the Cathedral website.

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The Alban Pilgrimage Timetable of the day 10.30am Please aim to arrive by 10.30am

ready for the procession to set off at 11.00am prompt. Visiting parishes and groups are split into different areas to form up for the procession. These are marked with coloured flags. When you register, you will be e-mailed a flag allocation sheet. Please remember to bring this sheet with you on the day and ask the stewards for directions.

11.00am Pilgrimage Procession begins through the City Centre The route begins from St Peters Church, St Albans,

and continues to the Town Hall, where our guest, the Archbishop of Canterbury will address the crowd. We will then process to the West End of the Cathedral.

(See the map on page 5 for details) c. 12noon Festival Eucharist (following the Procession) Preacher: The Most Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

12noon Childrens Worship and Activities In the marquee, situated in the Cathedral Grounds. See following page for details. 2.00pm Orthodox Service and Veneration of the Relic at the Shrine of Saint Alban Organised by the Ecumenical Chaplaincy and the Fellowship of St Alban and St Sergius - all welcome.

2.30pm Question and Answer Session in the Nave with the Archbishop of Canterbury and Visiting Bishops on the subject of world mission. 3.00pm Anointing for Healing in the Lady Chapel

4.00pm Festival Evensong and Procession to the Shrine Preacher: Mgr Jean-Charles Descubes, Archbishop of Rouen

As part of todays celebrations, we are delighted to be welcoming

Bishops and Priests from our link dioceses in the Caribbean There will be a range of Caribbean-themed stalls in the Cathedral Grounds.

The Abbots Kitchen will be open from 10.00am-4.30pm serving breakfasts, lunches, afternoon teas, and a range of snacks and drinks.

The Cathedral Shop & Bookstall will be open from 10.00am-5.00pm selling a range of pilgrimage merchandise, books, greetings cards, CDs, and much more.

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Registration To help with our planning, all groups and individuals need to register in advance to let us know youre coming. Please fill in the form at the back of this booklet and return to St Albans Cathedral, Sumpter Yard, St Albans, AL1 1BY, or by email to pilgrimage@stalbanscathedral.org. You can also download the form separately and all other information in this booklet from our website: www.stalbanscathedral.org. Registration closes on Wednesday 17th June 2015 so please make sure you return your form by this date.

Children and Young People Younger pilgrims are welcome to any part of the day. Children can either sign up to join in the activities or alternatively, they are welcome to remain with their parish groups. We would strongly advise that children under 5 remain with their parents and parish groups. Alban procession: Children are signed in at 10.00am at St Peters Church, St Albans. They will be given something to wear or to use in the Procession. Please note that costumes used in the procession are not suitable for children under 6 years old. Childrens Worship: This takes place immediately after the procession (from 12noon) in a marquee in the Deanery Garden. The worship is for children aged 5 years and upwards. Children will be brought up to the Cathedral towards the end of the Eucharist for communion or a blessing. Children should be collected from the North Church Yard at the end of the Eucharist. Please note that it is necessary to register all children in advance. A packed lunch and an Alban T shirt is provided, and contributions from visiting participants will be gratefully received, but are entirely voluntary. For further information, please download the Childrens form from the website (available from May 2015) or contact the Cathedral Office on 01727 890245.

Completed forms should be returned to us by e-mail to pilgrimage@stalbanscathedral.org or post to the Cathedral Office, Sumpter Yard, St Albans, AL1 1BY by 14th June 2015

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Clergy

All Anglican Priests are invited to robe for the procession (alb and red stole) and to concelebrate the Eucharist. If you are not used to concelebration, please be assured that it is very straightforward and instructions are given. Clergy who do not wish to concelebrate are still welcome to robe and join the clergy procession.

Ministers of other Christian denominations are also very welcome to robe and take part in the procession, and are asked to wear their customary dress.

Clergy intending to robe for the procession should vest in St Peters Church to be ready for a briefing at 10.40am, in order for the procession to start promptly at 11.00am. Please fill in the registration form if you intend to robe and concelebrate.

Please Note: Clergy should not leave any belongings behind as there will be no access to St Peters, once the procession has begun. Disabled Facilities

Entrance to the Cathedral for pilgrims needing disabled access is via the West End or the Slype entrance by the Chapter House. Please note that the Cathedral will be closed before the Festival Eucharist until the Procession has arrived at the West End. Until then, access is only available to the disabled toilet in the South Ambulatory. The Abbots Kitchen, Gift Shop and Chapter House facilities will remain open during the morning (from 10.00am).

It is helpful to let the Cathedral Office know in advance if any pilgrims have special access or seating requirements so that we can make appropriate provision for them and any companion who is assisting them on the day. Any pilgrim who needs any additional help is asked to bring a carer with them.

The Red Cross are on duty during the day. Please alert one of our stewards immediately if you or a member of your group requires attention. Food and Drink

The Abbots Kitchen is situated in the Chapter House and will be open on the day from 10.00am-4.30pm. The menu is full of regional and seasonal delights to suit all tastes and includes breakfasts, lunches, light bites, cakes and pastries, afternoon teas and a range of hot & cold drinks.

Pilgrims are welcome to bring a picnic to eat on the Abbey Orchard. There will also be some outside catering on the Abbey Orchard, near the West End area of the Cathedral. Gift Shop and Bookstall

Situated in the Chapter House and South Transept, the Gift Shop and Bookstall is open from 10.00am-5.00pm. On sale is a selection of pilgrimage merchandise, as well as an attractive range of religious items, a range of religious and secular books, ornaments, jewellery, souvenirs and greetings cards. Recent CD recordings by the Cathedral Choir, Abbey Girls Choir and our Cathedral Organists are also available to purchase.

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Map of the procession route

Procession begins: St Peters Church, St Albans, AL1 3HG Situated at the other end of the city centre. The processional route is approx. mile. Procession ends: West End of St Albans Cathedral, the re-enactment of Albans beheading will take place outside the West End entrance, followed by the procession into the Cathedral for the Festival Eucharist. Banners Parishes are encouraged to bring their parish banners for the Pilgrimage Procession. Let us know if you are bringing one. Roses It is traditional for pilgrims to wear a red rose, these are left at Saint Albans Shrine at the end of the pilgrimage as a sign of devotion, and as a request for his continued prayer as you journey home. Roses are available at the Cathedral during the day for purchase by donation.

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Greening your Pilgrimage

St Albans Cathedral and City are founder members of the international Green Pilgrimage Network. We hope you will consider your method of transport before your visit. Travelling by Bus St Albans is well connected on the local bus network with services from North London, Watford, Hemel Hempstead, Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City, Harpenden, Luton and Watford. The Green Line 724 service links St Albans with Heathrow airport and West London, Harlow and Essex. There are a variety of bus connections into St Peters street and the surrounding roads from both of the citys railway stations.

Travelling by Rail St Albans City Station is situated about 20 minutes from London St Pancras International on the First Capital Connect service through central London from the South Coast and Gatwick to Luton and Bedford. St Albans is also connected to Watford via the St Albans Abbey Line. Trains from Watford Junction serve the North London Line and the West Coast mainline. The Cathedral is a 20 minute walk away from St Albans City station and about a 10 minute walk away from St Albans Abbey station.

Travelling by Coach Coaches and Minibuses should apply for a parking permit for Westminster Lodge, by making sure you complete a registration form and a permit will be e-mailed to you, with instructions on where the driver should park up. For the beginning of the procession, coaches may drop off in the designated bus stops on St Peters Street until 10.30am, for a short period (5 mins maximum). As soon as coaches have unloaded, they must depart and park at Westminster Lodge.

Travelling by car Close to the M1 (Junctions 6 10), A1(M) (Junctions 3 & 4), and M25 (Junctions 21a & 22), St Albans is easily accessible from all parts of the UK.

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Where to park in St Albans

There are a large number of city centre car parks available. Further information and the map shown above can be found by visiting: www.stalbanscathedral.org/visit/planning-your-visit www.stalbans.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/parking There is strictly no parking at St Peters church or at the Cathedral, except disabled parking booked in advance. Space is limited, but please apply to the Cathedral Office if you require a permit. Those who wish to take part in the procession will need to leave 30 minutes to go through St Peters Street to get to the start of the procession at St Peters Church. Please note, the roads through the city centre will be closed immediately before the procession to all traffic.

St Albans Abbey Station

St Albans Cathedral

St Albans City Station

St Peters Church

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www.facebook.com/StAlbansCathedralOfficial

@StAlbansAbbey

The Alban Prayer Among the roses of the martyrs brightly shines Saint Alban.

Almighty God,

We thank you for this place built to your glory and in memory of Alban, our first martyr.

Following his example in the fellowship of the saints, may we worship and adore the true and living God,

and be faithful witnesses to the Christ, who is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

Pray for us Alban, pray for us all Saints of God.

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

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will be on Saturday 18 June 2016

We look forward to seeing you

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