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July 10, 2005
Pilgrimage
Every year there is a pilgrimage to Glastonbury - no, not for the pop music - where there is a ruined Abbey which sits deep in the soul of English Christianity. It is here that the legendary King Arthur and his Queen lie buried - according to legend. This is believed to be the first Christian foundation in England and in the nearby Parish Church's garden grows the descendent of a Jerusalem Thorn tree reputed to have grown from Joseph of Arimathea's staff when he visited this place after fleeing Jerusalem.
The Abbey here was founded on the original hermitage, and that in its turn had been founded in a Christian community dating to the Roman occupation of these hills. Several English Saints have their origins here, the most well known being Saint Dunstan, one-time Abbot of Glastonbury and reformer of English monasticism and later Archbishop of Canterbury. He is today the patron Saint of Bell Ringers.
The remains of the great chancel arch give an indication of just how magnificent this Abbey Church must once have been.
The "Great Church", whose ruins we now use during our pilgrimage services, was completed in 1250, although, as with all such buildings, embellishment and expansion continued almost to the time of the dissolution in 1539. An interesting feature is the Lady Chapel whose ruins lie at the West end of the Church instead of at the East. This position was presumably adopted because of the rising ground to the East and it creates a large "Galilee" porch between the chapel and the West end of the Great Church. West of the Lady chapel lie the remains of the foundations of a small square - and probably much older chapel - known as Saint Dunstan's chapel.
The interior of the Lady Chapel looking East to the Galilee porch. In the crypt can be seen the modern altar used for occassional Eucharists.
On this weekend in July, pilgrims from all over the UK walk, bus, or otherwise travel to this ancient sacred site and join in a great celebration in the remains of the Great Church. We celebrate our faith, in particular the joys of the year since we last met and the sacrifice made by our God in sending His one and only Son to redeem us. Several hundred people gathered yet again this year - despite the remedial works being carried out in the former quire, we were able to celebrate a superb Sung Mass and follow this with a Solemn Benediction later.
The services began with a march of witness through the town and into the Abbey grounds. Then followed the Sung Mass, a superb and very uplifting service, before we all broke for a belated lunch under the trees. A short rehearsal followed lunch - and then it was time for the Benediction.
All in all, a day of food for the soul.
Laus Deo!
Posted by The Gray Monk at July 10, 2005 09:10 AM