The new Archbishop of Canterbury will embark on a six-day walking pilgrimage this week from London to Canterbury, as part of her spiritual preparation for her Installation service at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday 25 March.
It is the first time in modern history that an Archbishop of Canterbury has undertaken a pilgrimage of this nature in the lead-up to their Installation.
The Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, along with her husband Eamonn, will be walking the 140km route along the Becket Camino from St Paul’s Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral, reflecting her journey from Bishop of London to Archbishop of Canterbury.
Walking along stretches of the Thames Path, the Via Britannica and the Augustine Camino, the group will join Morning and Evening Prayer services at churches, cathedrals and abbeys en route, as well as meeting with other pilgrims and visiting schools and ecumenical organisations. Stops will include Southwark Cathedral, Aylesford Priory, the Shrine of St Jude in Faversham, Lesnes Abbey and Rochester Cathedral.
The final stretch of the journey will see the pilgrims joined by David Monteith, Dean of Canterbury, and members of the Cathedral chapter, to walk from the village of Chartham to Canterbury, arriving in time for Evensong on Sunday 22 March.
A pilgrim’s passport has been specially produced for the journey, designed by pupils from Ospringe Church of England Primary School in Faversham. The group will also give out prayer cards featuring a prayer written by pupils from The Archbishop's School in Canterbury.
Archbishop Sarah said: "As I prepare for my installation at Canterbury Cathedral, it feels deeply humbling to be following in the footsteps of those who have walked this ancient route. For centuries, faithful pilgrims have flocked to Canterbury, and I will be reflecting on this tradition as we make our way through the Kent countryside and its towns and cities. I'm looking forward to visiting local churches, cathedrals and holy sites along the route - and to meeting people, praying with them and hearing their stories. As I walk this path I will be praying for our Church and our world, and asking God to bless those we meet. Every Christian life is a pilgrimage - a journey with God. As I begin this new chapter in my own life and ministry, I am grateful to be walking with God and with others."
Torin Brown, the Pilgrim Officer at Canterbury Cathedral said: “Pilgrimage is a wonderful outward encounter with new places and people, but for me the inward journey of spiritual improvement is equally inevitable to such an endeavour, and so it is a great privilege and honour to have the opportunity to accompany Archbishop Sarah as she prepares for her new role with humility and grace, by walking a camino to Canterbury.”
Richard Braddy, Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury said: "As people from around the wider Anglican Communion prepare to come to Canterbury for the Archbishop’s Installation, it will be a joy to approach this occasion on foot, and rooted in prayer. On this journey of pilgrimage, prayer and encounter we will be connecting with local churches and joining schools who have been organising pilgrimage themed events. Daily themes and prayers are being shared via social media so people can join together in prayer during this special time.
"My prayer is that, as Archbishop Sarah takes this time of pilgrimage to prepare spiritually for her ministry as Archbishop of Canterbury, we can join together more widely in prayer for the church and the world, and recognise afresh God’s presence in our lives. I am looking forward personally to take time to experience God’s presence on this pilgrimage, to deepen my journey as a disciple of Christ, and through the gift of the Holy Spirit see what conversations unfold as we encounter people on the way."