HUGE PILGRIMAGES

Evening Star, Issue 21935, 23 January 1935, Page 1

HUGE PILGRIMAGES

VISITING ENGLISH CATHEDRALS Worcester Cathedral, the Mecca each year of many thousands of pilgrims, is the subject of a letter received in Wellington recently from Captain H. R, Harrison, who is its ‘* Custos,” or custodian. In July last a pilgrimage to the principal cathedrals was arranged on a huge scale in England to assist the unemployed, and of this Captain Harrison writes as follows: “ This effort throughout the country lasted a fortnight. The arrangements were very simple but effective. All railway companies and large firms undertook to sell tickets, which were priced at Is 6d each. This amount went to the fund for unemployed. The purchaser then decided upon the cathedral where he would perform his pilgrimage. Each cathedral chapter made its own arrangements for the reception of the pilgrims, and tickets were available there for any who might care to purchase them. “ At first we at Worcester, were rather at a loss as to what should - be done as a special feature. Worcester Cathedral has the reputation of doing everything possible to meet the desires of our huge number of pilgrims. Even the word ‘pilgrims’ is not new with us, for so we style all visitors. However, we recruited a band of some thirty ladies and trained them as ‘ guides ’; their job was to act as receptionists to help the pilgrims to enjoy their visit. There was no need for special services, for every day we have matins at 9.30 a.m. and evensong at 4.15 p.m., both services being fully choral. Then, of course, there is H.C. at 8 a.m. On Sundays our services number seven, so you see there was no need for anything special in that line. But we did sing the Pilgrim’s Hymn and had additional organ music. A LARGE COLLECTION. “ 'The whole affair was quite successful. Pilgrims flocked in from all parts; many had- obtained their tickets from elsewhere, but in the porch a total of £l5O was collected, for dispatch to the fund. It is not possible to give a full account of moneys collected, as much more is expected from throughout the country districts; nor could the exact number of pilgrims be remembered, but roughly speaking I should say about two hundred thousand is near the mark. All this is simply one side of the cathedral activities. The main purpose is to make this a true place of worship for all and sundry. We, therefore, arc out to welcome .everyone, no matter whether they can leave an offering or not. A great factor in this increased interest in our cathedrals is the education of school children. Nowadays the educational authoritise make grants toward ‘ educational tours ’ for the scholars. These tours seem to cover every filing which may be oalcu-

Jatod to assist in developing the child’s mind.” A, humorous incident mentioned by Captain Harrison refers to one of the pilgrimages when an American party was being conducted around. “ The crypt naturally took them by storm,” he writes, “ especially when they learned that for its excellence of design and state of preservation there is no Norman work in Europe to compare with it. After hearing the full details about it the American woman said: ‘ Wal, sir, and what do you use this basement for?’ ’’•