Awesome Alban still inspires

St Alban’s simple faith can connect with us today and is set to inspire thousands of pilgrims from all over Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire this weekend, on 21 st June, making their way to the top of the hill where he was beheaded for his faith in the third century. The Procession leaves Roman Verulamium for the Cathedral at 10:30am.

Alban, a third century Briton and our first Christian martyr, was not baptised, had never attended a church service or owned a bible or been on a training course. But he is still celebrated for his simple Christian faith which he demonstrated in the most dramatic and conclusive way – by giving his life for it. “His faith and his act of martyrdom transcend all Christian divisions and disagreements,” says the Cathedral’s publicity. A powerful symbol of the value of freedom of belief and conscience, he stood against the demands of the Roman Empire that demanded not just allegiance but worship.

Alban committed probably the first identity theft and possibly the only one with good motives. He pretended to be a priest whose faith and courage had moved him. Alban’s substitution of himself allowed the priest to continue his work, paying for the priest’s freedom with his own life at the hands of the Roman authorities.

Speaking ahead of the Pilgrimage, The Dean of St Albans said: “Alban is timelessly relevant. He was one man changed by the example of another, in a long chain of inspiration beginning with Christ. The chain still continues with people changing others by their lives and actions today. I hope the pilgrims will continue to play their part inspiring our community.”

The pilgrimage route retraces Alban’s last steps to a place on or close to where St Albans Cathedral stands. Pilgrims will join the festival Eucharist at 11:30am in the Cathedral where the preacher will be Thought for the Day’s Revd Angela Tilby. At the beginning of the service, the Bishop of St Albans hymn to St Alban will be sung by a small choir of sixth formers from St Mary’s Church of England School, Cheshunt. Their Director of Music has composed the new tune to which this will be sung.

Following the service, the Festival offers chariot racing, ‘lion’ taming, face painting, bouncy castles and much more for smaller pilgrims.

After prayers at the Shrine of St Alban at 3pm and 4pm, the Festival Pilgrimage concludes with Evensong where the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell from the neighbouring diocese of Oxford will preach. He is well known as a Christian communicator and is author of the book “Do nothing to change your life.”

Pilgrims traditionally wear a rose to symbolise the blood of Alban and the roses that, according to legend, sprung up on the route to his execution. Roses will be available on the day at the Abbey, in return for a donation.

Details of the event on the St Albans Cathedral website: http://www.stalbanscathedral.org.uk/