<strong>Where would you go?</strong><br><br>A place I’d like to revisit on pilgrimage is <a href="https://www.thefriars.org.uk/attractions?id=main_shrine"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">Aylesford Priory</mark></a> in Kent. I often went there as a child and young adult with my family and our beloved neighbours Cis and Arthur. Visiting Aylesford planted in me a fondness for church and the Catholic faith at a young age. It’s also known as The Friars because it’s the home of the Carmelites, founded by St Simon Stock in the 1200s. It’s an ancient place with a timeless beauty, sacredness, and a unique blend of light through darkness, constantly urging you to stop and pause to be inspired.
<strong>Would you make any special stops?</strong>
I ’d stop by the river and contemplate how the flow of the river reminds me of the faith life – faith might only begin as a trickling brook, emerging into the light before disappearing into depths and then resurfacing again. But, with prayer and perseverance, and some holy rain, faith becomes a flowing river. The river of faith includes, for me, an encounter at Aylesford with Cardinal Basil Hume when I was about ten years old. This is a very happy memory, although brief.
I’d also stop to contemplate the beautiful image – a mosaic, if I recall correctly – of Carmelite reformer St Teresa of Ávila, her quill in her hand. It was here that I was led into prayer for a vocation to write for Jesus. Then I’d stop at the Rosary Garden and contemplate the mysteries of Our Blessed Lord and Our Blessed Lady’s life, and I’d stop at the Peace Garden.
<strong>Whom would you take?</strong>
I’d take my family; I’d like to take my brothers in particular. I love them and I’d like them to be reminded that God loves them too, and that God’s love is beautiful, often comforting, and often amazing.
<strong>You can transplant your favourite pub, bar or restaurant onto the route. What is it?</strong>
It might be the Myrtle Tavern, Leeds, in the Hollies woodland near Headingley, where I’d go for a drink during university study breaks. I recall being at the Myrtle with friends that I’m still in touch with 25 years later. I ’d want for my friends to visit Aylesford Priory, too.
<strong>Camp under the stars, or find a church hall to sleep in?</strong>
I’d love to pray a night vigil beneath the stars and in the little chapels. I’d want to pray all night, be ministered to by angels, sing hymns, and be given the Blessed Sacrament.
<strong>Which books would you take with you?</strong>
The <em>Catechism of the Catholic Church</em>. The more I read, the more astounded I am at its beauty and wisdom. I find the <em>Catechism</em> very inclusive and loving.
<strong>What Bible or religious verse would you ponder as you walked?</strong>
“Blessed are the peacemakers; they shall be called children of God.”
<strong>What’s your go-to prayer?</strong>
Definitely the Rosary. My parents encouraged us to pray the Rosary, kneeling together in our living room during the month of October, as little children. This taught me to meditate on the meaning of each word. This emphasis, done in my heart with love, helps me contemplate the miracle. The Rosary also reminds me of my maternal grandmother, Doris. In her final year of life we prayed together often.
<strong>What’s the singalong to keep everyone’s spirits up?</strong>
I couldn’t think of one alone. It would be a hymn; I know some hymns but only in fragments. I would need the help of a hymn book to get all the words! But maybe “As gentle as silence” and “All that I am, All that I do, All that I’ll ever be I offer now to you”.
I’d love to hear my family singing these hymns!
Also, “<em>Flos Carmeli” (</em>Flower of Carmel), which we would read or sing under the guidance of our former headmistress, Sr Phillip.
<strong>You’re allowed one luxury in your bag. What is it?</strong>
A lovely fresh notebook and pen, to jot down some of my experiences. Or a straightforward camera, to capture the beauty of a spring pilgrimage.
<strong>What would you most miss about ordinary life?</strong>
Being a hospital chaplaincy volunteer.<br><em><br>Photo: <a href="https://www.thefriars.org.uk/attractions?id=main_shrine"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">Aylesford Priory</mark></a>; screenshot from <a href="https://www.thefriars.org.uk/attractions?id=main_shrine"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">www.thefriars.org.uk</mark></a>.</em>
<em>Anita Boniface is a Catholic writer and Christian finance journalist who volunteers at hospital chaplaincies.</em>
<strong><strong>This article originally appeared in the May 2024 issue of the <em>Catholic Herald</em>. To subscribe to our award-winning, thought-provoking magazine and have independent and high-calibre counter-cultural Catholic journalism delivered to your door anywhere in the world click</strong> <mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color"><a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/subscribe/?swcfpc=1">here</a></mark>.</strong>
