A religious pilgrimage to a historic Moray abbey will this year focus on education, the north-east’s most senior Catholic cleric has said.
For a number of years now there has been an annual Aberdeen diocesan pilgrimage to Pluscarden Abbey on the last Sunday of June.
Now following a statement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who said the government was an ‘unequivocal supporter’ of Catholic schools and committed a further £100,000 of funding to the Catholic Teacher Education programme, the focus of this year’s event will turn to learning.
Bishop of Aberdeen, Hugh Gilbert said: “This year the pilgrimage falls on June 24, the Solemnity of the Birth of John the Baptist.
“We are celebrating therefore the birth and growth of a child whose mission it would be to prepare a way for the Lord.
“It seems good therefore, in what is also the centenary of the 1918 Education Act (Scotland), to gather together children from our primary schools and other young people to give thanks for our Catholic schools, to revive our own youthfulness of spirit and ponder our responsibilities towards our children.”
Dom Benedict Hardy OSB, Prior at Pluscarden added: “This year we are standing by to receive larger numbers than usual, including many children.
“We hope that all our pilgrims will find this occasion both uplifting and enjoyable.”
Currently housing Benedictine monks, the historic Abbey traces its roots back to the 11th century.
It has since become a popular place for retreats and pilgrimages.
Episcopal Vicar for education and dean, Colin Stewart, said: “Sometimes, in an age of easy international travel, the attraction of local destinations is eclipsed by more exotic ones.
“But local pilgrimages often contain more personal, hands on, meaning for pilgrims, because ‘local’ is where we live our lives.
“Pilgrimage brings people together. There is certainly a common bearing of burdens as our travels unfold.
“This year, in Pluscarden, there is a special place for children. If plans work out in this ‘Education Act Centenary Year’, the day will be shared by many young people from schools around the diocese.”
