Dominicans Jubilee Pilgrimage in Kingston upon Thames

Dominicans Jubilee Pilgrimage taking a break at Hampton Court. Image Amanda C Dickie

Four young friars are marking 800 years of the Dominican Order's presence in England by recreating the arrival of the Order of Preachers, as they are known, at Ramsgate in 1221. Following the route to Oxford via Canterbury and London are Fr Toby Lees, chaplain at King's College London, Br Bede and Br John, both students at Blackfriars Oxford, and Fr Sam Burke from Edinburgh, a law lecturer at the University, also training to be a Naval Reserve chaplain. Br John was filming much of our progress.

I caught up with the friars - all keen walkers - in my home town of Kingston upon Thames, the oldest of London's royal boroughs. We met up in Canbury Gardens by the river on a lovely sunny day.

They had left Chiswick that morning attracting a small band of youthful pilgrims on the way; most had Dominican connections having experienced their unique pastoral qualities at University, in London, Cambridge and Oxford. Two extra friars had joined them that morning from Cambridge for the day, Novice Master, Fr Greg and novice Br Jerome .

I guided them all though the market place to the Coronation Stone, where seven Saxon kings are reputed to have been crowned ,including in 925 Alfred the Great's grandson Athelstan, who became king of a united England. The group seemed impressed to learn that in 836 king Egbert had summoned a church council in the nearby parish church bringing the Archbishop of Canterbury Ceolnoth and leading churchmen together from across the country, resulting in them pledging to unite with the king for the common good. We walked over the nearby Saxon Clattern Bridge to the riverside walk. Crossing Kingston Bridge the group decided to cut through the somewhat marshy Bushy Park, following recent rain, and were delighted to see the famous herds of deer.

There was a real sense of pilgrimage. Walking through Hampton Court a friendly postman In his van waved. All along the route passers by smiled and enquired as to who they were. Br John and Fr Toby enthusiastically proclaimed their mission.

We paused at Hampton Court Palace for photos before making our way to St Barnabas Catholic Church for Vespers. The pilgrims were greeted warmly by parish priest Fr Richard Biggerstaff. Dominican Jubilee Vespers was sung in the beautiful church by pilgrims and parishioners.

The friars spent the night at the presbytery and said that they had a splendid salmon supper cooked by Fr Richard, followed by tarte tatin provided by a parishioner. You can see videos of the pilgrims progress on: www.jubilee.com They have been welcomed across Kent and London, including Aylesford Priory where they spent an enjoyable night with the Community. The Carmelite Prior, "was most hospitable and kind, " they said. At Canterbury Cathedral a memorable ecumenical vespers was celebrated.

They will arrive in Oxford on the Feast of the Assumption, as did their forbears who played an important part in the development of the University.

Anyone wanting to support the friars and their work today and defray pilgrimage costs in their Jubilee year can donate by justgiving or on line via their webpage. Get in touch on development@english.op.org.

They are also gathering rosary prayer intentions which they pray three times a day enroute.

The friars are distinguishable by their white habits so do approach them if you see them, talk to them and join them for any part of their walk.

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Walk with the Dominicans. To read on see: www.dominicanjubilee.com/join-the-pilgrimage