Pilgrimage to the National Cathedral

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A group of Pilgrims were spotted on the grounds of the National Cathedral on Saturday May 16th and they were from
Church of Our Saviour!

Traveling to Washington D.C. in a large van, members of the ECW (and friends), enjoyed an action packed day at the Washington National Cathedral-our nation's cathedral. Upon arriving, the group assimilated with a high school group from Ohio in a mass tour and were shepherded by a somewhat "green" docent. When realizing that Mo. Mary Staley's knowledge and private tour could be much more informative and adventuresome, the group split off and discovered many of the "secret spaces" the cathedral had to hold.

At 3:00 p.m., the group gathered at the "Cathedral Center for Prayer and Pilgrimage" for an introduction to the program which would cover the next 3 hours. The Cathedral Pilgrimage Program offers pilgrims of all faiths an opportunity to escape the busyness of the world and spend time praying, worshiping, and reflecting on their personal journey amid the backdrop of the Cathedral’s sacred spaces.

Prayerfully, the group meandered through the Olmstead Woods, the Bishop's Garden and then back into the cathedral nave for further discussion, exploration and prayer. At 5:30 p.m. the cathedral closed to the general public and, at that point, the pilgrimage took on a special dimension as the group from COOS had the entire National Cathedral to themselves to explore and reflect in. The awe and amazement of silence in this sacred space, coupled with the time to go privately in prayer, was certainly a highlight of the day for the group. It was a chance to experience this magnificent creation in a private and very personal way.

Following this private time, the group convened in the Pilgrimage Chapel, spent some time in Centering Prayer and concluded the day with the pilgrimage staff before departing for the trip back home - tired but rejuvenated spiritually.

Comments:

"I’ve been to the cathedral many times over the past 20 years and each time I go I see and learn something new. The peacefulness of the cathedral at the close of day is something most visitors do not get to experience. I especially enjoyed seeing the new growth of the trees and flowers, reminding us we are all growing in faith."

Pilgrimage Walk

Bless to us, O God,
The earth beneath our feet.
Bless to us, O God,
The path whereon we go.
Bless to us, O God,
The people whom we meet. Amen.

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