Eight pupils from year 9 made a group pilgrimage to Holy Cross Priory on the feast of Saints Philip and James the apostles. We were welcomed and ably guided throughout our pilgrimage by Michael, sacristan and server of Holy Cross. He told us about the long history that the Dominicans have in our city and the history of Holy Cross Priory. During the visit, we were able to attend the 12:30pm Mass, light a candle for a loved one and notably, the opportunity to venerate the first class relic of the True Cross (believed to have been a fragment of the cross on which Christ himself was crucified), for which the church is dedicated to. Students also had the opportunity to ask questions with Fr Matthew, one of the Dominican priests in community at Holy Cross.
The pilgrimage was made in preparation for the Catholic Young Writer competition which this year’s theme is pilgrimage.