Saturday 14th September 2024
Bright and early 34 pilgrims and friends from parishes all over the diocese started their day long pilgrimage to Birmingham.
Oscott College, the place where St John Henry Newman preached his ‘Second Spring’ sermon, hosted representatives from all over the country. The seminarians shepherded us around the beautiful buildings and grounds to a large marquee where all the main events were held.
The sun shone and the coats were discarded to hear Bishop Alan McGuikan SJ from Down & Connor in the first address of the day. He drew parallels from the past to explain how the sequence of offering, ritual and feast has always been part of human nature and how the Liturgy of the Eucharist mirrors so much in Jesus message and, indeed, in human life.
After the Adoremus and Mass, led by Cardinal Vincent and many bishops, including our own Bishop Ralph, we enjoyed lunch together. Those who stretched out on the manicured lawns of the College or in the marquess enjoyed great fellowship and conversation before returning for the Eucharistic procession and Benediction. The procession led us around the driveways, woods and lawns of Oscott in what felt to be a walk with Jesus in the sunshine.
Mgr John Armitage gave a presentation on the works of the Guild of our Lady of Ransom, to “go and make disciples, of all the peoples.” His call was for renewed evangelisation.
The only problem of the day was that a planned keynote address by Sr Margaret Adkins CRSA was cancelled. The only woman to be on stage stood down in order to keep the bus drivers legal.
Return to Sheffield and Rotherham on the bus had more fellowship and a beautiful rosary led by the organiser for the diocese, Deacon Tony Strike.
As we prepare for 2025, a year of Jubilee and pilgrimage there was no finer opportunity for people of the Diocese to walk together with the Holy Spirit as pilgrims with hope.
“To bring people together from across the Diocese of Hallam to join with pilgrims from all the dioceses of England and Wales was a tremendous act of solidarity, affirming our collective belief in the Blessed Sacrament. Especially in this Year of Prayer, in preparation for the Holy Year of 2025, we could experience travelling and praying together as pilgrims of hope.” Deacon Tony Strike
