The new Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, set out last week on a six-day walking pilgrimage from London to Canterbury, as part of her spiritual preparation for her Installation service at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday 25 March.

The British Province of Carmelites were proud that during this personal pilgrimage, the Archbishop was able to visit two Carmelite shrines – Aylesford Priory on Friday and the Shrine of Saint Jude in Faversham on Saturday.

The Archbishop arrived at Aylesford Priory on the morning of Friday 20 March. Together with her husband, Mr. Eamonn Mullally, they were welcomed by the Prior of Aylesford, Fr Michael Cox, OCarm and Carmelite friar and Director of Vocations, Fr Gerard Walsh, OCarm.

The two friars led the Archbishop and party on a tour of the Priory (also know as ‘The Friars’) and stopped at each of the chapels for prayer. They were able to introduce the history of the shrine, its position on the pilgrimage route, and why it remains such a special place for the Order of Carmelites.

The next day (on Saturday 21 March) – and after walking through the most beautiful countryside that Kent can offer – Archbishop Mullally met family and children from the primary schools in Ospringe near Faversham before coming to the Shrine of Saint Jude. Once again, the Archbishop and her husband were greeted by Carmelite friars: this time – Shrine Chaplain, Br Paul de Groot, OCarm and Fr Patrick O’Keeffe, OCarm.

The Archbishop’s party were then led on a tour by Mr Matthew Betts and Br Paul which included the ‘Footprints of Hope’, the ‘Garden of Hope’ and the shrine itself. They were able to talk about Saint Jude as the Apostle of Hope.

Thanks to Mr John Toryusen for all the photos taken, to Mr Torin Brown who is our link to the Diocese and Cathedral, and to Mr Matthew Betts for organising the two visits with Mr. Brown.

Photos courtesy of the Carmelites British Province

More at: https://carmelite.org/.../the-archbishop-of-canterbury.../

More photos below.