Christian pilgrims undertook an annual walk between Ryde and Quarr last Friday (2nd September) – a traditional that dates back to the Victorian times.
The origins of the walk go back to when Catholics would walk on Sunday afternoons in the summertime to the Medieval Cistercian ruins to pray for the return of monastic life to Quarr.
In 1907 this actually happened, when the Benedictine monks moved from Appuldurcombe to Quarr. This short annual pilgrimage (just 3 miles) emphasises an affiliation with the Victorian Christians who walked the same route.
The walkers (or pilgrims) were accompanied once again, last Friday, by Fr. Jonathan Redvers Harris, who has been a keen participant and supporter of this annual walk, stopping en route at the Medieval Church of Holy Cross at Binstead (once served from Quarr Abbey), where Hilary Spurgeon gave an interesting talk on the church and its historical association with Quarr.
After studying the plan of the Medieval Cistercian ruins, the group arrived at the present Benedictine abbey, where they were welcome by Abbot Xavier. Being the 1st Friday in September, he spoke to the walkers about the French Visitation nun, St. Margaret Mary, who promoted the devotion of the 9 1st Fridays of the month.
The day concluded with Friday evening Vespers and Benediction.
