Archbishop of Canterbury to Undertake Pilgrimage Ahead of Installation
The newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, will undertake a six-day pilgrimage as preparation for her installation service.
Dame Sarah, accompanied by her husband Eamonn, will walk the 140km (87 mile) route from St Paul's Cathedral in London to Canterbury Cathedral prior to the installation ceremony scheduled for 25 March.
This marks the first occasion in modern history that an Archbishop of Canterbury has embarked on such a pilgrimage in the lead-up to their installation.
During the journey along the Becket Way, the group will participate in prayer services held at various churches, cathedrals, and abbeys. They will also engage with fellow pilgrims and visit local schools.
The Archbishop's route will include sections of the Thames Path, the Via Britannica, and the Augustine Camino.
Key stops along the pilgrimage will include Southwark Cathedral, Aylesford Priory, the Shrine of St Jude in Faversham, Lesnes Abbey, and Rochester Cathedral, according to Lambeth Palace.
The final segment of the pilgrimage will see Dame Sarah and her group joined by David Monteith, Dean of Canterbury, along with members of the Cathedral chapter. Together, they will walk from the village of Chartham to Canterbury, arriving in time for evensong on Sunday, 22 March.
During the pilgrimage, the group will distribute prayer cards featuring a prayer composed by pupils from The Archbishop's School in Canterbury.
Reflecting on the Pilgrimage Tradition
Dame 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."
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