Annual Pilgrimage 2009
The Annnual Diocesan Pilgrimage Mass at St. Ninian's Cave
30th August 2009
The annual pilgrimage to St. Ninian’s cave took place on Sunday 30th. August.
In true penitential fashion for a pilgrimage we had to cope with lashing rain and a driving wind. St. Ninian would have been proud of us for the way so many hardy souls braved the elements!!
Pilgrims came from all over the Diocese of Galloway, as well as from Motherwell, and even as far away as Dundee. As ever the Scouts from Kilmarnock did a brilliant job: first in cleaning the beach and collecting several sacks full of plastic bottles and other rubbish; then preparing the path down through the Glen and opening up drainage gullies; then helping to move the awning over the altar and all the supporting furniture down to the cave. Sadly the Scouts were without their well experienced and able leader as he had to dash back to Kilmarnock as his wife was taken into hospital. We hope and pray that all goes well with her. However, the rest of the scout troop rallied round and did themselves (and us) proud.
The main celebrant was Bishop John Cunningham, ably assisted by Bishop Maurice Taylor and a number of Priests and Religious from the Diocese. It was interesting to see the number of former parish priests of Whithorn who had been able to attend. Monsignor Peter Magee was scheduled to preach, but he decided that it would be totally inappropriate to preach in the circumstances – nobody objected!
Because of the inclement weather it was very difficult to assess the number present, but a conservative estimate suggests in the region of 500 pilgrims. The choir from St. Teresa’s, Dumfries, battled with the elements in leading the singing, and even before the Mass was able to begin, led the gathering in a humorous rendition of “Oh I do like to be beside the seaside”. The hymns were all sung to traditional Scottish melodies.
For those less able to cope with the physical challenge of going to the cave, Monsignor Joseph Boyd concelebrated Mass in the church of SS. Martin and Ninian in Whithorn
at 4.45. Fr. George Thompson was the preacher.
Already plans are afoot for next year’s pilgrimage which will be on Sunday 29th. August 2010. Hopefully St. Ninian will give us better weather!!!
