Where would you go?
Easy: the Order of Malta has its annual pilgrimage to Walsingham this month. For me, a pilgrimage involves Our Lady, and taking others who need assistance to make their pilgrimage. The charism of the Order is “defence of the Faith and care of the sick”. By following the teaching of Christ and loving our neighbour as ourselves, we are witnesses and defenders of the Faith – you also make some special friendships along the way.
Would you make any special stops?
Cambridge. I miss its architecture, culture and happy care-free student times. It was there that I found my faith. I am also blessed to have lots of lovely and loving friends from that time of my life.
Who would be your travelling companions?
My whippets – Fly and Mouse. After many years of attending Order pilgrimages, they are aficionados of Marian worship. They also love all the pats and treats they get at Walsingham from fellow pilgrims. They particularly like the Procession along the Holy Mile to the Slipper Chapel – many rabbits in the old railway embankment!
You can transplant your favourite pub, bar or restaurant onto the route. What is it?
Clarkes on Kensington Church Street – a complete (over-)indulgence saved only for high-days and holidays.
Camp under the stars, or find a church hall to sleep in?
Nothing beats lying on your back watching a bright clear star-lit sky.
Which books would you take with you?
The Order of Malta Prayer Book has a prayer for every occasion and to fill those times when you don’t know how to start praying or what to pray. What
Bible or religious verse would you ponder as you walked?
The Beatitudes. They always inspire reflective thought, and you discover new meanings each time that you read them. As a schoolboy, I thought that I just needed to fulfil one of Jesus’s blessings. Perhaps, Meekness – not that I understood what that was – but the reward of the Earth seemed pretty impressive to me. It was a terrible shock when, later in life, I realised that we must aim to live all the Beatitudes. I am still over-awed by the task.
What’s your go-to prayer?
The simplest is often the best: “O Lord, forgive me what I have been, sanctify what I am, and order what I shall be. Amen.”
What’s the singalong to keep everyone’s spirits up?
“He who would valiant be ’gainst all disaster, Let him in constancy follow the Master. There’s no discouragement shall make him once relent His first avowed intent to be a pilgrim.”
You’re allowed one luxury in your bag. What is it?
A backgammon set. My granny taught me. I still aspire to her level of skill/genius/meanness.
What would you most miss about ordinary life?
Hills. To paraphrase Noel Coward – “Very flat, Norfolk”.
