THE FRIENDS ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE, SEPTEMBER 2021

A report by Margaret Bamford

(as first published in The Proclaimer, the Cathedral Parish’s online magazine)

Celebrating their return to active communion with the Diocese, The Friends’ long delayed, and much looked forward to, pilgrimage in and around Arundel took place at the end of September. Participants came from all over the Diocese – over 30 in all. Representing a wide diversity of interests and experience, many commented on how good it was to be back together meeting people, sharing an appreciation of their common faith, and re-visiting the well- trodden path of hundreds of years of previous generations of pilgrims.

From the remains of the Calceto Priory, formerly a small house for Augustinian Canons established in the 12 Century, and now a small farmhouse close to Arundel railway station, the pilgrims walked to the remains of the Dominican Friary close to the bridge over the river before moving on to the Church of St Nicholas, the Fitzalan Chapel, the Lady Chapel and then into the Castle grounds past the site of the Chapel of St Mary, a Marian shrine established in 1415, to the Mary Gate, and concluding at the Cathedral. At each stop the historical and spiritual importance of the sites were described by respected and knowledgeable pilgrims. The richness of our heritage and its spiritual significance were emphasised powerfully by their contributions. Relevant prayers and choral praise made for truly memorable experiences.

The event was especially significant for its emphasis on ecumenism. While it was a Roman initiative the Anglican community at St Nicholas - friends and clergy –welcomed their visitors not only with warmth and friendship but with erudite accounts of how specialist researches had enhanced the knowledge and history of the building. Of particular interest was the genuine illuminating graffiti from the middle ages and even before; not easily visible head on but with an angled torch very plainly identifiable. Fascinating! Moving forward 800 years Canon David Twinley from St Nicholas introduced the parish’s latest acquisition – a specially commissioned icon in the Lady Chapel. Previously, said Canon David ‘there had been a large Taize cross behind the altar, followed by a tapestry of The Burning Bush neither of which was quite right ….’, it was agreed that what was needed was a piece of artwork ….. ‘designed specifically for the space’ and being clearly designed for the Lady Chapel’.

What is now there is the most beautiful of icons. Arriving in Arundel in June, at the end of August it was blessed and dedicated to the memory of Canon Brian Cook, a retired much loved priest who died last year. Canon David told the fascinated pilgrims that, ‘our new Curate Dominik knew a talented iconographer, Barbara Klimczuk-Moczulska, a Russian Orthodox iconographer working from a studio in Poland. She was commissioned to bring a sense of identity light and sanctity to the Lady Chapel’. ‘At its heart is the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child. On the left is the patron saint of the Diocese of Chichester, St Richard, holding a scroll with his famous prayer ‘Thanks be to thee ...’ This choice was appropriate, not only because of the diocesan connection, but also because there are numerous inscriptions in the church inscribed by medieval pilgrims to his shrine.

On the right is St Nicholas holding an image of the church. ‘Two angels are also depicted holding a cloth behind Our Lady’ …’picking up a detail in the medieval wall painting of the Coronation of Mary in the north aisle in which two angels hold up Mary’s coronation gown’.

From St Nicholas the pilgrims moved to the glorious Cathedral towering in magisterial glory above the Arun Valley. The Friends of the Cathedral have published a detailed guide, written by the knowledgeable Oliver Hawkins freely available to all pilgrims; and offering a structured approach to appreciating all that this magnificent building had to offer.

Finishing in the Cathedral Centre with a cup of tea and cake with informal chat it was clear that the day had been informative, enjoyable and above all a truly spiritual experience.

Opposite; the pilgrim group in the Fitzalan Chapel, by the monument to Duke Henry, founder of Arundel Cathedral. The remains of Anne Dacre are in a vault below the Lady Chapel.