Boulogne sur mer Pilgrimage -  14 June 2008

                        From St Saviour & St Peter Church  Eastbourne

It was a grey cool 6.00 a.m. start but all were in high spirits as we met outside St Saviours Church.  Everyone turned up on time and people supported the occasion from as far as Hailsham, Hellingly, Seaford, Polegate, Langney, Somerset and London.  I would like to thank all those faithful supporters for being so brave for such an early start. 

The whole trip went very smoothly.  We arrived at Boulogne dead on 10.30 a.m. (local time).  The sun came out with a clear blue sky and it was as if Boulogne was sending their welcome to us.  There was a very friendly welcome as we arrived at La Cathedrale de Boulogne - our Lady of the Sea.  The coach party went to their seats in the Cathedral and the Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary, St Wilfred’s Chapter, had their own Chapel to robe in for the service.  Mr Reg Martin, the organiser and Monsieur Michael chose the Servers from St Saviours to serve at the High Altar.  I thought this was a great privilege.  Jonathan Lawrence was crucifer and Brian Adams and myself were acolytes, the main Altar servers.  The remaining servers joined the procession to the altar.  The Celebrant was The Right Reverend John Broadhurst, Bishop of Fulham and the Assistant Priest was Father Daniel from St Augustus, Kilburn, London.  There was a number of Bishops and Priests from various parts of England and France.  The service was very moving and went extremely well.  The servers from St Saviours were congratulated on their serving ability and reverence at the Altar which I felt was a great honour.  This comment was made not only by English worshippers but also by the French.  The sun shone through this beautiful Cathedral as the Altar party and worshippers processed round.  Brian and I found the candles very heavy this is because they were the traditional wax candles.  Both the organist and Cantor were excellent.  The organ was very powerful and thundered through the Cathedral. 

As we came out of the Cathedral the sun was still shining in a clear blue sky, and Fred Reeve took a group photograph.  Everyone then made their way to the local restaurants to taste the French cuisine.  I would recommend La Feryne Gourynande, Rue de Lille where the food was very good and reasonably priced.  Again Fred took photos as we all sat outside various restaurants enjoying lunch in the very warm sunshine.

While we were sitting having lunch we were entertained by wedding parties parading through the cobbled streets to and from the Cathedral.  The brides and bridesmaids in their beautiful dresses and hats and little children wearing lace dresses.   Cars decked with flowers and balloons tooting their horns. 

After lunch a number of us strolled around the town returning to the coach at 4.00 p.m. ready to drive back to Calais to catch the shuttle train. 

Everyone, all ages, thoroughly enjoyed the day and asked if I would arrange the Pilgrimage again next year.

Thank you again to everybody for their support.

Bernard Irving