Pilgrimage to Harvington Hall

Procession at Harvington Hall

Source: Archdiocese of Birmingham

Canon Richard Walker will celebrate a special Mass to commemorate the English Martyrs in the beautiful grounds of Harvington Hall in Worcestershire on Sunday 4 September.

A house which holds many secrets, Harvington contains seven priest holes. Humphrey Pakington, who inherited the estate in 1578 was a staunch Catholic and thus subject to the harsh penal laws of the Elizabethan age.

Humphrey was a recusant, meaning he refused to attend the Church of England service on Sundays, a refusal that initially cost 12p a week but increased to £20 a month (equating to around £4,000 today).

From 1585 it was illegal for a Catholic priest to step foot in England, making it necessary for Humphrey to equip Harvington with the impressive priest hides, which visitors can see today. We don't know the full story of these priest hides but we do know that some of them were almost certainly the handiwork of the master carpenter St Nicholas Owen.

The annual pilgrimage to Harvington offers you a chance to reflect on our own faith and the persecution, and often martyrdom, of Catholics during the English Reformation.

Guided tours of the house are free on the day of the pilgrimage.

You can bring your own picnic and the Malt House cafe will be open to purchase cakes and treats.

The parish will provide free refreshments (tea, coffee, juice) in the Priest's garden by Harvington Parish Church after the Mass. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic to the Priest's Garden too.

Doors open at 1pm. Confessions from 1.45pm - 2.30pm Mass at 3pm

The Hall has free parking and a picnic area.

Free timed tours of Harvington Hall are available and may be booked on the day at the table in the courtyard.

LINK

Harvington Hall - www.harvingtonhall.co.uk/