Pilgrims away!
‘Busy’ isn’t the word to describe the Priory this Super Saturday. A dictionary full of adjectives wouldn’t be sufficient.
But one that’s definitely at the forefront would be ‘prayerful’, for the day started, as ever, with Morning Prayer. Usually a small gathering of souls (think ‘when two or three are gathered together’), numbers were swelled by a group of pilgrims from Cheltenham, walking the pilgrim route to Worcester. As preparations for Super Saturday crafts provided ‘noises off’ in St Giles’ chapel, the pilgrims and congregation worshipped around the Paschal candle in the nave, with wholehearted Eastertide ‘alleluias’. Pilgrims prayers followed, led by Philippa, the Curate, and the walkers waved farewell on their journey into the sunshine and showers of a Worcestershire spring.
Meanwhile Super Saturday crafts were laid out, with the theme linking beautifully to that of the Well Dressing Festival being held in Malvern.
The refreshment team assembled, displaying the wonderful array of bakes made by the Priory’s volunteer Benedictine Bakers. The urn, as ever, steamed merrily, ready for teas, coffees and hot chocolates, all free for everyone, although donations are always welcome, too.
The Welcomers took their place, armed with an ever-growing portfolio of Welcome leaflets. Thanks to the skill of the congregation, we can now offer leaflets outlining the history and life of the Priory in English, French, and from this Super Saturday, in Russian. Our Spanish and German volunteer translators are working on their versions. Watch this space!
The Arts and Crafts Market in the Churchyard buzzed with activity. ‘I love it when it’s like this’ mused a churchwarden, walking through the stalls to put up the new Priory Super Saturday banner flag ‘It’s just how it’d’ve been in Mediaeval times’
Later in the day Roger, the Vicar blessed the Malvhina Spring on Belle Vue Island for the Well Dressing Festival and was invited to star in an impromptu video telling the history of the Priory and its treasures.
As the pilgrims arrived in Worcester, so the Priory Super Saturday-ers packed up and cleared up; both parties weary, but elated. What it is to be part of a truly Living Church.
