More than 800 pilgrims from across the Archdiocese of Birmingham gathered on Sunday 6th September for the annual pilgrimage to Harvington Hall, Shrine of the English Martyrs. The Principal Celebrant was His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, who was welcomed warmly at the beginning of Mass by The Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham.
Archbishop Bernard expressed the joy of the Archdiocese in receiving the Nuncio at the very start of his pastoral visit, noting Harvington Hall’s deep significance as a place where the witness of the martyrs is remembered and honoured. He highlighted that the martyrs’ suffering was rooted in their devotion to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and their loyalty to the Holy See, adding:
“In your presence, we feel the Holy Father’s presence very strongly today.”
Courage, Witness and Hope
In his homily, Archbishop Buendía spoke with “vivid emotion” about celebrating Mass in a place marked by both “joyful and sorrowful mystery.” He reflected on the courage of English Catholics who kept the flame of faith alive during persecution, and he urged today’s faithful to pray for a revival of Catholic life in this country.
Drawing on the day’s readings, he reminded pilgrims that Christian discipleship carries a cost:
“Jesus warns his disciples that they will face opposition and even hatred, but tells them not to be afraid. The Spirit of the Father will speak through them, and the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
He emphasised that the victory of God’s people comes not through power, but through the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, quoting Pope Leo XIV on the need for patience and trust in God’s quiet, persistent work even amid hardship.
The Nuncio concluded by entrusting all present to Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, praying that she would grant the courage to be “authentic witnesses to our faith and true ambassadors for Christ.”
A Pilgrimage Rooted in History and Alive in the Present
Harvington Hall’s remarkable priest hides, ingenious hiding places built to shelter priests during the persecutions of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, remain a powerful reminder of the resilience of Catholic faith in England. This year’s pilgrimage brought that history into sharp focus for many.
Fr Craig Fullard, Parish Priest of St Newman Parish, Wolverhampton, reflected on the significance of the day:
“Today’s pilgrimage to Harvington Hall felt especially poignant because within our own Faith Family on the pilgrimage are people from countries where Christians continue to face persecution, including Nigeria and other parts of Africa, India, Pakistan and parts of the Middle East.
“Harvington itself reminds us of another time of persecution. During the late 16th and early 17th centuries Harvington provided a place of refuge. Its remarkable priest holes were built to conceal priests when searches took place, allowing the Mass and Catholic faith to continue in secret.
“Joining more than 800 fellow pilgrims today, we remembered the martyrs of the past while praying for persecuted Christians and martyrs of our own time. Their witness challenges us never to take our freedom to worship for granted.
“It was a powerful day of prayer and thanksgiving and also a wonderful opportunity simply to enjoy being together as a Faith Family, sharing the journey, laughter and one another’s company.”
Photo: © Archdiocese of Birmingham/Con McHugh
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More than 800 pilgrims from across the Archdiocese of Birmingham gathered on Sunday 6th September for the annual pilgrimage to Harvington Hall, Shrine of the English Martyrs. The Principal Celebrant was His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, who was welcomed warmly at the beginning of Mass by The Most Reverend Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham.
Archbishop Bernard expressed the joy of the Archdiocese in receiving the Nuncio at the very start of his pastoral visit, noting Harvington Hall’s deep significance as a place where the witness of the martyrs is remembered and honoured. He highlighted that the martyrs’ suffering was rooted in their devotion to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and their loyalty to the Holy See, adding:
“In your presence, we feel the Holy Father’s presence very strongly today.”
Courage, Witness and Hope
In his homily, Archbishop Buendía spoke with “vivid emotion” about celebrating Mass in a place marked by both “joyful and sorrowful mystery.” He reflected on the courage of English Catholics who kept the flame of faith alive during persecution, and he urged today’s faithful to pray for a revival of Catholic life in this country.
Drawing on the day’s readings, he reminded pilgrims that Christian discipleship carries a cost:
“Jesus warns his disciples that they will face opposition and even hatred, but tells them not to be afraid. The Spirit of the Father will speak through them, and the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
He emphasised that the victory of God’s people comes not through power, but through the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, quoting Pope Leo XIV on the need for patience and trust in God’s quiet, persistent work even amid hardship.
The Nuncio concluded by entrusting all present to Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, praying that she would grant the courage to be “authentic witnesses to our faith and true ambassadors for Christ.”
A Pilgrimage Rooted in History and Alive in the Present
Harvington Hall’s remarkable priest hides, ingenious hiding places built to shelter priests during the persecutions of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, remain a powerful reminder of the resilience of Catholic faith in England. This year’s pilgrimage brought that history into sharp focus for many.
Fr Craig Fullard, Parish Priest of St Newman Parish, Wolverhampton, reflected on the significance of the day:
“Today’s pilgrimage to Harvington Hall felt especially poignant because within our own Faith Family on the pilgrimage are people from countries where Christians continue to face persecution, including Nigeria and other parts of Africa, India, Pakistan and parts of the Middle East.
“Harvington itself reminds us of another time of persecution. During the late 16th and early 17th centuries Harvington provided a place of refuge. Its remarkable priest holes were built to conceal priests when searches took place, allowing the Mass and Catholic faith to continue in secret.
“Joining more than 800 fellow pilgrims today, we remembered the martyrs of the past while praying for persecuted Christians and martyrs of our own time. Their witness challenges us never to take our freedom to worship for granted.
“It was a powerful day of prayer and thanksgiving and also a wonderful opportunity simply to enjoy being together as a Faith Family, sharing the journey, laughter and one another’s company.”
Photo: © Archdiocese of Birmingham/Con McHugh
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