Embarking on a pilgrimage holds great significance in various religious traditions, offering individuals a unique opportunity for spiritual reflection, renewal, and connection with the divine. Within the Catholic faith, pilgrimages are highly regarded, drawing believers to sacred sites rich in historical, cultural, and religious significance. One notable destination is the Shrine of Our Lady in Glastonbury.

Glastonbury is steeped in history, mysticism, and spirituality, attracting pilgrims from around the world for centuries. It is often associated with the legendary tales of King Arthur and the Holy Grail, making it particularly important in the Christian spiritual landscape. Located in Somerset, Glastonbury is home to the oldest shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin in England, and possibly even north of the Alps. According to tradition, Christianity was brought to Glastonbury by St. Joseph of Arimathea in the first century, who is said to have built a wattle church dedicated to Our Lady upon his arrival. The original church, known as the “Old Church”, was described in a charter from around 694AD as the “foremost Church in Britain, the fount and source of all religion”.

Tragedy struck on 25th May 1184 when the old wooden church was destroyed by fire. Despite the devastation, a wooden statue of the Virgin and Child survived. Although the Virgin's face was blistered by the heat, the rest of the statue remained unscathed. Undeterred, the faithful built a new stone church on the same sacred ground, regarded as the holiest part of the abbey. This church, consecrated in 1186, mirrored its predecessor in dimensions and was again dedicated to Our Lady. The ancient shrine, along with its revered statue, was reinstated. During the Middle Ages, the Glastonbury Shrine flourished as a prominent pilgrimage destination, drawing devotees from distant lands.

The reign of King Henry VIII marked a turning point for the Shrine. Driven by his desire for power and wealth, he severed England’s ties with the Holy Church, and Glastonbury soon fell under his scrutiny. In 1539, Henry's commissioners arrived at Glastonbury and stripped the Abbey and Shrine of their treasures. The last Abbot, Richard Whiting, along with two of his monks, John Thorne (Treasurer) and Roger James (Sacristan), were executed on the Tor on 15th November 1539, following a trial at Wells the day before. All three were beatified by Pope Leo XIII on 13th May 1895. In response to their beatification, the Diocese of Clifton organised the Glastonbury Pilgrimage on 12th September of the same year.  This was one of the first large-scale outdoor Catholic events in England since the Reformation.

The 20th Century saw a revival of Marian devotion in Glastonbury. In 1926, the Shrine of Our Lady was re-established as the Church of St Mary, preserving the sacred heritage of the abbey. The foundation stone for a new church was laid in 1939, 500 years after the martyrdom of Abbot Richard Whiting. The Church of St Mary opened in 1940, with over 700 people attending the first service.

In modern times, the annual Glastonbury Pilgrimage has gained popularity. At the 1955 Pilgrimage, a large crowd of thousands of Catholics witnessed a statue, bearing the ancient title of Our Lady St. Mary of Glastonbury, being blessed by the then Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Gerald O’Hara. With papal recognition, the Shrine of Our Lady of Glastonbury was canonically restored. Around 20,000 Catholics participated in the 1965 Pilgrimage, held in the Abbey grounds for the first time in 400 years. The Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Igino Cardinale, marked the occasion by placing a golden crown on the statue of Our Lady of Glastonbury.

The Shrine of Our Lady St Mary of Glastonbury continues to be a centre for pilgrimage and devotion, attracting visitors from across the diocese and beyond. The annual Glastonbury Pilgrimage has continued every year since then apart from a 2-year break during the Covid Pandemic.