Information for Pilgrims attending the Glastonbury Pilgrimage
Sunday 7th September 2025
The Pilgrimage theme is ‘Mary, Woman of Hope’ and will have five main focal points:
The Shrine Church of Our Lady St Mary of Glastonbury will be a Chapel of Exposition and Silent Adoration. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered until 2.30pm.
There will be a Jubilee Procession from the Abbey to the Tor.
There will be a tented Chapel for Private Healing Prayer in the Abbey grounds.
The Pilgrimage Procession will start in the Abbey grounds at 1.45pm.
The Pilgrimage Mass will be celebrated by the Bishop of Clifton in the Abbey Grounds at 3.00pm.
If you are able, please bring your parish and organisations banners to carry in the Procession and display near the Altar during Mass.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Glastonbury – Silent Chapel of Exposition
You are invited to visit the Shrine Church of Our Lady St Mary of Glastonbury, to join the Rosary, starting at 11.00am, followed at 11.30am by Exposition, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation until 2.30pm.
Simple Benediction and Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be at 2.30pm.
Jubilee Procession
There will be a Jubilee Procession starting at 11.00am led by our young people from the Pilgrims’ Gate on Magdalene Street opposite the Shrine to the top of Glastonbury Tor.
Pilgrimage Entrance to the Abbey Grounds
Wrist bands, which you must wear to gain entrance to the Abbey grounds, and programmes containing full details of the Rosary Procession and the Mass in the Abbey grounds, can be obtained at the Pilgrims’ Gate on Magdalene Street opposite the Shrine Church, which is the designated entrance for the Pilgrimage. An entrance fee towards Pilgrimage expenses is requested (£4 per adult, under 16s free). Rosaries, postcards, prayer cards, candles and other gifts may be purchased from stalls in the Abbey grounds.
Private Healing Prayer
A tented chapel for private Healing Prayer will be situated opposite the Shrine Church, just inside the Abbey Gate. Members of the Shrine Healing Ministry will be available for private Healing Prayer from 11.30am until 2.30pm.
Rosary Procession
Pilgrims wishing to take part in the Rosary Procession should assemble in the Abbey grounds at 1.00pm to prepare for the procession which will start at 1.45pm. The procession will walk around the Abbey grounds, exiting via the Abbey House Gardens and will process through the centre of Glastonbury via Chilkwell Street, High Street, Magdalene Street, and returning to the Abbey through the Pilgrims’ Gate on Magdalene Street, opposite the Shrine Church, at about 2.30pm. Priests are invited to join the procession.
Mass in the Abbey Grounds
At 3.00pm the Pilgrimage Mass will be celebrated by the Bishop of Clifton. Areas near the centre aisle will be set aside for the disabled and near the front for those with impaired hearing for whom an induction loop system will be available as well as a sign language lectern. Please be guided by the stewards during the distribution of Holy Communion, when yellow and white umbrellas will indicate the positions of priests giving Communion. An offertory collection will be taken during Mass, towards the upkeep of the Shrine of Our Lady of Glastonbury. Collections may also be taken at the gate as you depart after Mass, for those who missed the opportunity during the offertory.
Stewards’ assistance
On arrival in Glastonbury there will be stewards present at three locations: the coach set-down point in Magdalene Street, the Magdalene Street Gate entrance to the Abbey opposite the Shrine Church, and in the Abbey grounds. Identifiable by the gold ‘Stewards’ armbands or Knights’ collars, they will be happy to answer any queries you may have.
Refreshments, toilet facilities and safety
Light refreshments, and, hot and cold drinks, can be obtained from the café in the Abbey grounds, until half an hour before the Mass commences and again directly after the Mass. Toilet facilities will be available in the Abbey grounds. An Ambulance and First Aid staff will be on duty in case of emergency.
General consideration
As you will be guests of the Trustees of Glastonbury Abbey, will you please treat their property with respect, leaving it in good order and free from litter. Thank you.
NB: Wrist bands and Programmes must be obtained at the Pilgrims’ Entrance immediately inside the Pilgrims’ Gate to the Abbey.
Downloadable files: