Diocesan News13 Mar 12

St Patrick’s Day 2012: Stepping out to help at Down Cathedral Pilgrimage

In keeping with the theme, ‘Walking in Simplicity’ The Bishop of Down and Dromore, The Rt Revd Harold Miller, is inviting everyone who comes on 17 March to donate a spare pair of shoes in good condition. Where possible these will go straight onto the feet of someone in need but at the very least will be recycled and the proceeds given to charity.

We’re delighted to welcome Pete Greig, founder of the 24-7 Prayer movement and Director of Prayer at Holy Trinity Brompton, as our special guest, both in the Cathedral and at the Service of Holy Communion at Saul.

St Patrick’s Day is also the suggested date for the beginning of the ‘WEAR IT OUT‘ clothing fast, which will raise awareness of the big issues around consumerism, fashion, beauty, lifestyle and social justice. At the end of the fast many young people will receive a special pair of TOMS shoes, and TOMS in turn will give a new pair of shoes to a child in need.

The annual St Patrick’s Day event gathers hundreds of visitors, from Ireland and abroad. It begins with a service of Holy Communion at Saul Church, followed by a pilgrimage to Down Cathedral. The pilgrims are greeted by a piper at the bottom of the Mall then piped to the Cathedral doors and the Festival Service. After the service, a wreath is laid at St Patrick’s grave by local ministers of all denominations before lunch is served to invited guests in the Cathedral grounds.