Westminster: Haringey Deanery Pilgrimage Walk

Walkers at Our Lady of Muswell church

On this May Bank Holiday about 70 parishioners from the Haringey Deanery set out to visit each of the six Catholic churches. To begin the Pilgrimage, Fr Mark Anwell, Muswell Hill, who organised the event, led the group in prayer. After a blessing from Fr John Buckley, we set out at 9.30 am from St Francis Sales, Tottenham. to walk to St Paul's, Wood Green.

There we had our refreshments, as we were about to face the most challenging part of the pilgrimage - the climb to Muswell Hill! But the sight of Alexandra Palace and the tree-lined pathways encouraged those of us who were struggling a little.

Fr Mark celebrated our Mass at 12 noon in honour of Our Lady. He reminded us that once the 'Mossy Well' (Muswell) was a place of Pilgrimage, prayer and healing. The said well is no longer with us, as it was devastated during the Reformation. After a good rest and picnic lunch we made our way to St Peter-in-Chains, Stroud Green. It was a most delightful walk through Highgate Woods. There were magnificent views over the City of London through the clearance in the trees. I never knew we had so many beautiful spots in the Borough of Haringey.

Fr Sean Carroll and parishioners welcomed us to St Peter-in-Chains. We were given a brief history of the Church and the foundation of the Parish by the Canon Regulars over 100 years ago. The parish has recently been looked after by secular clergy. There were more refreshments to help us on our way.

As we progressed to St John Vianney's, West Green, we took in a view of the former parish of St Augustine's, Mattison Rd, now housing the London Catholic Worker, Giuseppe Conlon House. This is now a place of refuge for up to 20 asylum seekers.

On arrival at St John Vianney's, West Green, Fr Joe Ryan welcomed the 50 pilgrims who stayed the course. He spoke of the Lambedusa Cross, reminding us of the sad stories of migrants who are uprooted from the security of their homes by war, violence and starvation. He also distributed a Parish Magazine giving a history of the parish founded in 1927. Yet more food was shared in the parish hall to help us on the last legs of the Pilgrimage to St Ignatius, Stamford Hill.

There we were welcomed to the Jesuit parish by Fr Hugh Duffy SJ. (Superior). He pointed out some of the beautiful mosaic works adorning this magnificent church taking us back to the setting up of the parish in 1894.

We had evening prayer and thanked God for an inspiring Pilgrimage. Believe it or not, we had further refreshments to bring our day to a fitting close.

All the participants requested 'we must do this again'. I feel we have stumbled on a real blessing here as a Deanery and have no doubt a tradition has begun. So simple to walk a pilgrim way to neighbouring Churches and yet a time of blessing.

A thankful pilgrim,

Fr Joe Ryan