6th Annual Apostleship of the Sea (Stella Maris) Pilgrimage to Holy Island

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, is a place of deep spirituality and prayer whatever the season, time of year or indeed the weather, however, it can be said that to pray in an atmosphere of warmth and stillness is an additional blessing. So it was when the many pilgrims from all parts of the diocese/north east region and beyond, (including coaches from St Bede’s, Marske, St Gabriel’s, Ormesby, and St Clare’s and St Francis, Middlesbrough, plus a group from Catterick) assembled for ‘Celtic Prayer on the Beach’, opposite St Cuthbert’s island, at the beginning of this year’s pilgrimage.

Led by Mgr Ronnie Brown, (former Royal Navy Chaplain and current AOS Trustee) the prayers, readings and music resonated through the air, as the blue sea lapped gently on the shore line, the piercing sun, beaming down on the several hundred pilgrims who had gathered for this, the now traditional start of the day.

Prayers for our Bishops, for peace, for seafarers, for those who suffer and for the dead, were all interspersed with Celtic readings, ‘Love remains eternally’, ‘Sea Tides’, ‘Absent friends’, ‘Ebb and Flow’ and these, together with hymns, all set the scene for the ongoing pilgrimage and day of prayer and reflection.

Following this, pilgrims were able to renew old acquaintances, make new friends and chat with the members of the clergy present, including Bishop Seamus Cunningham of Hexham and Newcastle diocese who was leading this year’s pilgrimage, and also speak with AOS Chaplains and volunteer workers from all ports in the region. After this they had their own time to have lunch, explore the island, and to visit the churches on the island, particularly St Aidan’s Catholic Church where there was a display of AOS literature and material depicting our work with seafarers.

At 4pm, with a congregation estimated to be of around 700 pilgrims, Bishop Seamus led the Mass in the grounds of St Mary’s Anglican Church; this was concelebrated by Mgr Ronnie Brown, Fr John Butters (Holy Rosary, Billingham), Fr Jim Angus (St Cuthbert’s, Hartlepool), Fr George Dolan (retired), Fr Tim Forbes-Turner (Catterick Garrison) and with Mark Lydon-Smith, Deacon to the Bishop in attendance, plus a number of altar servers from Billingham, Blyth and Catterick. Bishop Seamus gave a homily based upon the readings and Gospel of the day, making particular reference to the work of the AOS.

A wonderful day. Plans are now being made for next year’s pilgrimage.

Tony McAvoy, AOS NE Regional Co-ordinator