...and a memorable Martyrs' Walk, with a splendid spirit and some fine singing. We started at the churchyard of St Sepulchre-without-Newgate near the Old Bailey, with a short historical overview of the events of the 16th century...Henry VII, Prince Arthur, Henry VIII and Queen Catherine...Anne Boleyn...and so on...and then, praying the Rosary, headed along the route to Tyburn. First stopping-place was St Etheldreda's in Ely Place - particularly dear to me as it was for many years the Guild Church of The Keys, the Catholic Writers' Guild, and I have spent many happy evenings there with Mass and supper and lively discussions with a range of guest speakers, in good comapny and with that genuine sense of cheerful fellowship which is so difficult to describe without sounding sentimental, and so splendid to enjoy....
Then we progressed along Holborn, where our singing of Ave, Ave, Maria rose above the London traffic, and we were led in the Rosary by the deacon of a splendid American contingent of the group...and in due course were warmly welcomed by Fr David Barnes at the church of SS Anselm and Cecilia. This is a popular church, often packed out on feast-days and special days such as Ash Wednesday with people working in nearby offices hurrying to lunchtime Masses. And so on to St Giles-in-the-Fields and thence to St Patrick's Soho. Here we venerated relics of the martyrs, with Fr Doug Grandon of the American contingent presiding. And then we headed in groups to Tyburn. Here, a magnificent Benediction - the strong chorus of voices praying the Divine Praises - and a final splendid rendition of Faith of Our Fathers....and then an excellent Tea provided by the dear sisters, who beamed as they plied us with tea and sandwiches and pastries...
We had begun the Walk with three hearty cheers for the good people of St Sepulchre's for letting us use their churchyard, and we finished with three hearty cheers for the good Tyburn Sisters for their wonderful welcome and Tea.
Every year, I think the Martyrs' walk won't get the numbers or will meet with some disaster...and every year it is splendid and crowded and the people are wonderful.
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Once again a big thank you for organising the Martyr's walk, to the American priest who accompanied us and of course to the good sisters for their welcome when we finally made it to the Convent.
A special thank you Joanna for allowing us to end with a rousing 'Faith of our fathers' as on a couple of occasions in the past I have been disappointed that this poignant hymn has been missed out or I did not arrive there in time to sing it. Would it be possible to be scheduled again at the end rather than 'while waiting for the last arrivals?'
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