A Pilgrimage is a Journey of Three Parts,Travel, Good Company and Worship
Father Lyndon's Sabbatical
2011
Sabbatical - Part Two
My sabbatical took an unexpected turn upon returning from France, when my father was taken to hospital with a heart attack. for the following three weeks I, along with my family, were able to support dad, until his sad death. I would like to thank everyone for the prayers they gave and the love they have shown my family and I during this sad time. Also your prayers were felt when I conducted Dad's funeral, a duty that I also undertook for my mother a few months earlier. It was a great privilege to commend my earthly father into the arms of our heavenly Father. I miss both my parents very much.
Of course this meant that I wasn't able to attend ST. Beuno's in North Wales for my silent prayer and meditation, also missing a week of my Scotland adventure to Iona.
Last week I finally made the journey for a shortened visit to the small Western Island off the coast of Scotland. My journey from Caldicot took me by train to Birmingham, then a second train journey took me to Edinburgh, where I spent the night. After arriving late I managed to buy a bag of chips, and looked at the beautiful flood light castle. The following morning was a 7am start, I travelled by train to Glasgow, then again by train to Oban in the Scottish Highlands. The route took me by the Firth of Clyde, Loch Awe, the fantastic Loch Lomond, and passed Loch Long through the dramatic mountains to the sea side town of Oban. After a meal I boarded my first ferry to the Isle of Mull then by coach to Fionnphort then onto the ferry that crosses the Sound of Iona to my destination.
Iona is a place of Christian pilgrimage. It was ST. Columba who travelled there with fellow monks from Ireland some 1,400 years ago. It has been described as a thin place where earth and heaven touch; it is seen as a place of holiness and healing, and a place which I found challenges faith and makes you dig deep into your being to challenge your relationship with God. For 1,400 years Christians have worshipped God there, though this has not been always easy. From the early Viking attacks Christians have had to stand strong in their faith.
Columba is said to have arrived on a southern pebble beach on the Day of Pentecost 563AD, and he once stood on a mound "The Hill of Angels" where he was said to have been surrounded by an angelic host. Today the islands Abbey is the home of the ecumenical Iona Community (please go to their web page). People from around the world are members, and I attended the twice daily worship, which is simple but holy, and realised that I was in the company of Christians from all over the world, the United States, China, different parts of Africa, Denmark, Sweden, Australia and from many other countries. However, it is not the worship which challenges you the most: it is the solitude of Iona itself, and its beauty. A place where you do meet The Risen Christ in the most challenging way. My feelings were a mixture of sadness because of my father, a sense of being alone from my family and friends, but a sense of closeness to God.
Lyndon's Sabbatical Episode One - France
When the Bishop informed me that I was to have a Sabbatical back in 2010, I never realised how much I would need one! This Bishop suggested that I have one month with Cynthia for relaxation followed by a month of prayer, and ending with a month of Pilgrimage and study. Here we are, month one relaxing in the South of France.
After months of personal anxiety and sadness, as well as great sorrow in the Benefice I needed time to unwind and take stock of all that has happened.
The sun is shining over Antibes, and Cynthia and I have just been joined by our daughter Sarah who is staying with us for one week (we thought she deserved it as she did organise the entire Sabbatical and hence is referring to herself as 'Pilgrim's choice travels!).
We have been on the beach, swimming daily (but not too far), trying to loose some weight by eating salads and other rabbit food. Tomorrow we are off on a excursion to Monte Carlo to see how the other half live. Don't worry, I won't be going to any Casinos as I have neither the inclination nor the money to do so. We shall be doing some exploring but mainly lazing about under the riviera sun.
Love to Fr Den & Rev Annie, along with all the ministry team. Each morning as we say our daily prayers, we are praying for all of you back in Caldicot, Portskewtte and Rogiett. Please remember us in your prayers.
Lyndon
Father Lyndon’s Pilgrimage to Turin and Assisi
Look out for details of Lourdes Pilgrimage 2011
Lourdes May 2009
The Benefice pilgrims have just returned from Lourdes. It was an eventful week. We travelled to London by bus, then Eurostar from ST. Pancras to Paris. We enjoyed an evening walk passing some famous Parisian landmarks. The following morning we travelled on the TGV train to Lourdes. After our evening meal we visited the grotto to view the candlelight procession. We were joined on our pilgrimage by Bishop Dominic, who celebrated the morning Eucharist for us. We visited the shrine, and lit a candle praying for our churches back home and of course praying for those who were sick and had requested our prayers. Some of the group were immersed in the waters, others prayed. For those who had not been on previous pilgrimages, Lourdes can be something of a shock. Seeing thousands of people coming from all over the world for healing has an humbling effect and increases one's own spirituality. We enjoyed a trip to a village in the Pyrenees, the mountains still white from winter snows. Our Bishop led us in the candlelight procession and in the mountainside stations of the cross. We enjoyed fun, fellowship and above all a sense of the wonder of God. Sometimes we Christians need to get "out of the box" and seek God from outside the walls of our local Church, to witness the different ways Christians enjoy their worship of Our Lord. Part of our vision for our benefice is being called to mission and part of that mission is to be pilgrims, travelling together, journeying with God.
Please click Bishop Dominic's photo below to go to his article on the pilgrimage published in the Monmouth Diocese Newsletter.
Pilgrimage to Canterbury
Our benefice pilgrimage to Canterbury was in early August 2008 intended to coincide and support those of our benefice who were members of the Cantores Ambrosiani who were singing at the cathedral evensong for the week 4th to 10th. It was led by Fr Den of Portskewett, assisted by Fr Don Wood. The party of 18 were very pleased to have made the 400 mile round trip to support the choir when we experienced evensong with the beautiful arrangements for the psalms and canticles in the magnificent setting of Canterbury Cathedral. We stayed in a 16th century coaching inn a short walk from the cathedral and as we were there overnight we had ample time the next day to visit the cathedral once more to see the shrine of Thomas Beckett, to take a trip on the river or simply do touristy things and sample the local food and drink. It was a short but most enjoyable pilgrimage.
St Dubricius Church
The Benefice Pilgrimage took place on Sunday, September 9th, 2007. After a Benefice service in St Mary's, Caldicot, the congregation took to the roads and arrived at Symonds Yat. After lunching there was a river boat trip, following by a service in St. Dubricus Church. The occasion was one of enjoyment and fellowship, and we were all wonderfully spiritually refreshed. We look forward to the next one.
Holy Land January 2007
Pilgrimage by Fr Lyndon
At the end of January I travelled, with other clergy, to the Holy Land. It was for me the fulfilment of a burning desire that I have had for many years, to visit the places that were known by our Lord. It was an extremely spiritual experience. Bethlehem, which is now imprisoned behind a vast security wall, was a beautiful, yet sad place. There was high unemployment, poverty, and so much heartache. Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, the prince of peace, is a land with so many problems.
Bethlehem is made up of Palestinian Muslims and Palestine Christians, the Christians being in the minority. The Christians there want us to pray about their plight, and I encourage Christians to do so. However, in the midst of turmoil, one cannot escape the feeling that this is indeed a Holy Place, the birthplace of Christianity, where long ago, shepherds had an angelic experience, which led them to a holy child born in the poverty of a stable.
We began our pilgrimage with a visit to Galilee, and crossed on the sea in a boat, on choppy waters (very Biblical). I prayed on the Mount of Beatitudes (the Sermon on the Mount), and visited Capernaum, where Jesus lived for a while and was known to have performed some of the miracles. Nazareth, the home of Jesus, is now a modern town with an Arab market adjacent to the Church of the Annunciation. We were also privilege to visit the Synagogue where Jesus read from the prophet Isaiah.
Of course the Holy Land is steeped in Old Testament history. For example, on Mount Carmel we saw the place where Elijah challenged the priests of the pagan god Baal. We saw the ruins of Megiddo, (Armageddon) where Solomon had his stables and the place of the final great battle as foretold in the book of Revelation. We visited many other sites, such as Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls where discovered, and where I felt the peace and loneliness of the desert. But perhaps the place, which held the greatest impression, was my first glimpse of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. To visit those places where Jesus suffered his passion and death, and to know you are in the place of the resurrection is something I shall never forget.
The Holy Land is where history comes alive. Where you become deeply aware that you are walking on a land promised by God to his chosen people. I prayed for our churches at the Western Wailing Wall, and for all of our people. Please, in return, pray for Jerusalem.
A Pilgrimage is a Journey of Three Parts, Travel, Good Company and Worship
Please click on the fish to go to our future pilgrimages page
