Winchester 2005 : The Holy Spirit'The Spirit of God, descending like a dove'
 
 

Day 12: Farnham to Alton

 

Today we are in Farnham, a very significant place in the life of the pilgrimage. It was Fr David's first parish, it is where Mike Simons, a founding father of the pilgrimage lived at the time, and it is where Aidan and Imelda were married nearly 25 years ago, on September 6th 1980, with Fr David as the Registrar.

Our day started with Mass in the church of St Joan of Arc . . .

. . . during which Aid 'n' Meld renewed their marriage vows, in the presence of several members of their families and their extended, pilgrim family with whom they have been involved for the whole of their married life.

Meld's sister Clare read the lesson.

As we left the church the rain started, and then it rained.

Persistently.

Nearly all day . . . until we arrived in Alton

Our first prayer stop of the day was at the church of St James at Rowledge . . .

. . . where there is a stunning window depicting local flora and fauna with the other symbol of the Holy Spirit, the tongues of fire. A correspondent asked about the Latin on this window. It is from St James' Epistle, Chapter 1, Verse 19:

scitis fratres mei dilecti sit autem omnis homo velox ad audiendum tardus autem ad loquendum et tardus ad iram

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

Bill led our reflection on the theme of peace, the fruit of the Holy Spirit which we are considering today. One memorable bit was that some years ago, when he was a councillor, he had the chance to name the roads in a new estate on a peace theme.

The rain continued . . . but Cora and Bernie are not going to let a little (or a lot) of the wet stuff depress their spirits.

Despite appearances suggesting a late November afternoon, it is in fact an early afternoon in August.

Our prayer stop in the afternoon was at the church of the Holy Cross at Binstead, where Viscount 'Monty' Montgomery is laid to rest

The church also contains a crusader tomb, hidden away in the north transept.

We continued on our way; the rain also continued. Our final prayer stop, albeit brief because we were cold and wet and looking forward to reaching our destination, was at Holy Rood Church at Holybourne, on the outskirts of Alton.

Here we sheltered briefly from the weather, though looking out from the doorway we knew the rain continued.

As if we needed a greater challenge, a couple of people ripped down the arrows through Alton. However, they tore them up and scattered them on the ground, so we had a paper chase - and litter.

At the end of such a day, some of our arrows are reverting to the pulp from which they came, and have, regrettably, directed their last pilgrim.

Others, however, will recover and live to mark another day.

Comfortable chairs and a good cup of tea make a good welcome.

And so to supper, a few songs in the bar and to sleep to see what tomorrow brings.

 

Itinerary

 

0700 Rise

0730 Breakfast

0855 Depart: St Joan's RC Church Hall, Farnham SU847465

0900-1000 [0 miles] RC Mass at St Joan's Church SU847465

1130-1150 [3.7] Prayers: St James', Rowledge SU820431

1215 [4.7] Alice Holt Forest Centre SU813417

1230-1330 [5.2] Lunch: Halfway House, Bucks Horn Oak SU807417

1510-1530 [8.7] Prayers: Holy Cross, Binstead SU772409

1605 [10.1] Wyck Farm SU759398

1700-1720 [12.4] Prayers: Holy Rood, Holybourne SU732412

1800 [14] Arrive: Alton Community Centre SU716394

 
 
 

Walk Leader

 

Mike & Jonny Gamble

 
 
 

Prayer Stop Theme

 

Peace

 
 
 

Meditation: The Holy Spirit

 

‘He reproves and convicts of sin’

And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement.
-John 16:8
 
 

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