Sunday 6th September 2026

“Mary, Mother of the Faithful”

This year's pilgrimage will take place on Sunday, 6th September 2026 and will be centred around the theme of 'Mary, Mother of the Faithful'.

This theme is inspired by the Vatican doctrinal note Mater Populi Fidelis issued last October, which highlights Mary’s closeness to the pilgrim People of God, accompanying us on our journey of faith and hope.

A shrine is traditionally a place of pilgrimage and reminds us, in an earthly way, of our spiritual journey of faith. Through baptism we embark on a road that is sometimes smooth, sometimes rough, but we do not journey alone.

As Christians we have our eyes firmly fixed upon the Kingdom of God as revealed to us in Scripture and Tradition by Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The message of Our Lady, His Mother, is a simple one. In John 2:5 she points to her Son and says, "Do whatever He tells you". And so, it is in this shrine that we worship God and give honour to the Theotokos, the God-Bearer. She is a prototype of the Church in that she gives us an example of discipleship unparalleled in the history of salvation. She is humble and courageous, obedient and strong, maternal and virginal, constantly directing us towards her Son.

Father Kevin Knox-Lecky, Parish Priest, the Shrine of Our Lady of Glastonbury, 1999 - 2012

We look forward to welcoming pilgrims once again to Glastonbury for our annual Diocesan Pilgrimage, celebrated this year under the theme “Mary – Mother of the Faithful.”

The day begins in the Shrine Church, where we will pray the Rosary before the Statue of Our Lady of Glastonbury. The Statue will then be carried in procession into the Abbey Grounds. Confessions will be available in the Shrine during Exposition, and the Chapel of Healing Prayer will be open in the Abbey Grounds throughout the morning.

Pilgrims can visit the Shrine Repository tent for devotional items, and enjoy refreshments from the Abbey Café and St Mary’s cake stall. You are warmly welcome to bring a picnic.

A youth procession to the Tor is planned for the morning (to be confirmed).

In the early afternoon, we will gather for the Rosary Procession, making our way through the Abbey Grounds and down the High Street, returning for the Pilgrim Mass in the Nave of the Abbey Church, celebrated by Bishop Bosco.

May this day be one of grace, fellowship, and deep peace for all who come.

2026 Programme

SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF GLASTONBURY

11.00am Rosary

11.30am Exposition; Adoration; Sacrament of Reconciliation

2.30pm Benediction

ABBEY GROUNDS

11.00am – 12.30pm YOUTH PROCESSION from the Abbey to the Tor

11.30am – 2.30pm PRAYER MINISTRY at the Chapel of Healing

1.45pm ROSARY PROCESSION from the Abbey through the town centre

3.15pm MASS in the Abbey celebrated by Bishop Bosco MacDonald