This weekend we hosted fantastic numbers for our annual Alban Pilgrimage and Patronal weekend. On Saturday, we retold the story of Alban, Britain’s first saint, with 12 foot tall puppets through the streets of our city. We were thrilled to welcome pilgrims from all over the Diocese, country, and internationally.

Fr Kevin Walton, who oversees the Alban Pilgrimage, said of the day, ‘St Albans is so blessed in having a saint whose story of faith, open hospitality, and courage, continues to inspire through all these centuries. It was a wonderful day bringing together the whole community, including many children and young people, and pilgrims and friends from near and far.’

The Bishop of Dover, Rose Hudson-Wilkin, preached to the congregation of over 600 in the Cathedral, encouraging us to inhabit the confidence of Alban in telling the story of our faith. On Sunday, our parish service celebrated our patron saint, and the weekend concluded with Evensong and procession, including the laying of roses at the Shrine of Alban.

Make sure to save the date for Alban Pilgrimage next year taking place on 22 June 2024.

📷 Toby Shepheard