Hidden Catholic history comes alive on Thames pilgrimage

Joanna Bogle with pilgrims outside Church of the Most Precious Blood, Southwark (© ACN)

Source: Aid to the Church in Need

As Tower Bridge swung open to allow a barge to pass beneath, a group of pilgrims paused to watch what felt like a fitting finale to a journey through London's rich and often overlooked Christian past.

Moments earlier, the walkers had completed three-mile (5km) riverside pilgrimage tracing centuries of history, faith and sacrifice in support of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

Author, journalist and broadcaster Joanna Bogle led the walk, titled 'In the Footsteps of the Martyrs', from the Church of the Most Precious Blood in Southwark to Tower Bridge, on Sunday, 13th September. The historic church has a unique place in Catholic life. Built to serve generations of dock workers, railway employees and people employed in the printing industry, it remains a significant landmark in south London and today houses a shrine to St John Henry Newman, patron of the Ordinariate. For many participants, the church itself was an unexpected discovery.

As the group made its way through Southwark and towards London Bridge, Mrs Bogle brought the city's hidden Christian history to life.

Standing beneath an image of St Olaf, she recounted the legendary eleventh-century Viking attacks in which the Norwegian king helped defend London against Danish invaders.

She said: "Olaf didn't let them take the bridge. If they took the bridge, they'd take the city."

Describing the threat posed by the invading forces, she explained how Olaf joined forces with the Saxon king to repel attackers intent on entering the capital to "rape and pillage" its people.

The sounds of London's past accompanied the pilgrims on their route.

Near the Monument, church bells from St Magnus the Martyr rang out across the city, a reminder of the resilience of Christian communities that survived upheaval, persecution and the Great Fire of London.

Among those taking part was Jaroslava Drobna, who said: "I'm glad to support ACN. I'm glad so many people came to support the walk. Joanna's vitality is amazing."

For others, the walk offered a chance to discover an often-neglected chapter of British history.

Peter Berners-Lee, from St Albans, said it was his first historical tour led by Mrs Bogle adding: "Her super joyful confidence and understanding of the whole spirit of the past - you can speak mountains about this part of London as there's so much going on but to pick out the faith dimension is life giving."

Marie Fuller, from North Cheam, attended with a friend and said the experience had transformed her understanding of the Catholic contribution to the country.

She said: "When we learnt history in school, we only just touched the surface. We learnt a lot from this. It made me realise the Catholic Church has contributed so much to this country and we don't hear about it. The Reformation still lingers."

There was also time for moments of simple joy. As the group approached their destination, they watched Tower Bridge open to allow a barge to sail through.

One participant remarked: "I've never seen that before."

The walk was organised to raise money for ACN's annual Red Wednesday campaign, which highlights the plight of persecuted and suffering Christians around the world.

Thanking participants at the end of the pilgrimage, Dr Caroline Hull, National Director of ACN (UK), spoke about the impact their support would have.

She said: "We are so grateful to Joanna as all the proceeds are going to Red Wednesday, which is our annual flagship event to flag up the issues around Christian persecution in the world. Anything you give, or have given, for this will be doubled, so you do twice the good.

"Because of you, because of your prayers and because of your support, there are more parents in the world who can feed their children, there are fewer people in the world who are imprisoned for being Christians, and there are more children in this world who can smile because they have a future.

"I can't thank you enough, Joanna. I learnt quite a bit and I think we all did."

Reflecting on the afternoon's success, Mrs Bogle said the pilgrimage had achieved exactly what she had hoped.

"We're footsore, but it's been great," she said. "And it was a lovely surprise to see Tower Bridge open and the barge go through."

To make a donation visit: https://acnuk.donorsupport.co/p2p/pages/martyrswalk