Pilgrimage to Westminster Abbey
You're warmly invited to join us on a
walking pilgrimage to Westminster Abbey
on Saturday 18th October 2025
to celebrate St Edwardtide
with a Festival Eucharist at 11.15am
sung by the Westminster Abbey Special Service Choir
Music:
Mozart Coronation Mass
Mozart Ave verum corpus
Bach Prelude and Fugue in C
Preacher:
The Reverend Dr James Hawkey
Canon Theologian and Almoner
Lunch at Central Hall
(please bring sufficient money)
Leaving from outside St Dunstan's at 8.45am 18/10/25
walking pilgrimage to Westminster Abbey
on Saturday 18th October 2025
to celebrate St Edwardtide
with a Festival Eucharist at 11.15am
sung by the Westminster Abbey Special Service Choir
Music:
Mozart Coronation Mass
Mozart Ave verum corpus
Bach Prelude and Fugue in C
Preacher:
The Reverend Dr James Hawkey
Canon Theologian and Almoner
Lunch at Central Hall
(please bring sufficient money)
Leaving from outside St Dunstan's at 8.45am 18/10/25
Edwardtide is the name given to the national pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor in Westminster Abbey. This pilgrimage is part of the Abbey’s annual celebration of St Edward the Confessor.
Who was St Edward the Confessor? He was one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings, who was born sometime between 1002 and 1005. He ruled from 1042 to 1066. He was made a saint (canonised) in 1161.
Why is he so important to Westminster Abbey? Without St Edward the Confessor, it’s possible that there would be no Westminster Abbey. He had promised the Pope that he would make his own pilgrimage to St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. However, once he became king, he found it was impossible to leave the country. The Pope released him from his promise on the condition he build his own church, dedicated to St Peter. This became Westminster Abbey and was completed only a week before Edward died.
Why do we call him ‘Confessor’? This term was given to Edward after his death, to reflect his life of great holiness and piety, and to indicate that he was a saint who did not die for his faith (known as martyrdom). How did King Edward become St Edward the Confessor? There are many stories about Edward’s journey to sainthood. Some of these stories tell us how important his Christian faith was to him during his lifetime. Other stories tell us about miracles associated with him, for example the time he gave a precious ring to a beggar (who turned out to be St John the Evangelist), or when he healed a leper. He was also said to have the gift of prophecy.
When is Edwardtide? Each year, the Abbey celebrates the life of St Edward the Confessor with a week of special services, sermons, festivities and prayer, known as the Octave of St Edward. This includes the National Day of Pilgrimage, which falls on the Saturday closest to the 13th October, the date of Edward’s Feast Day when his body was moved to its current resting place.
What happens at Edwardtide? Throughout this week, candles are lit and incense is burnt, and pilgrims make their journey to visit Edward’s shrine. Pilgrims and worshippers may come to renew their baptism vows, have their feet washed as a sign of welcome (a tradition stemming from the time when Christ washed the feet of his © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster disciples to indicate that he was their servant), or visiting dedicated prayer stations, set up throughout the Abbey. Following the National Day of Pilgrimage on the Saturday, when the Abbey opens its doors for everyone, there is a Eucharist service on the Sunday. The heart of the national pilgrimage day is a festival Eucharist for all pilgrims.
Is pilgrimage important to Edwardtide? Pilgrimage is central to Edwardtide and has been for hundreds of years. Though there are celebrations taking place inside Westminster Abbey, the focus for those pilgrims visiting the Shrine of St Edward will be on their own personal journey to this special place.
Why is Edwardtide so special? For many people, particularly pilgrims, Edwardtide marks the end of their journey to Westminster Abbey. Many of those pilgrims will have travelled hundreds of miles to pray at the shrine of the saint and Edwardtide is the culmination of their pilgrimage – a small yet important part of it.
Who was St Edward the Confessor? He was one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings, who was born sometime between 1002 and 1005. He ruled from 1042 to 1066. He was made a saint (canonised) in 1161.
Why is he so important to Westminster Abbey? Without St Edward the Confessor, it’s possible that there would be no Westminster Abbey. He had promised the Pope that he would make his own pilgrimage to St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. However, once he became king, he found it was impossible to leave the country. The Pope released him from his promise on the condition he build his own church, dedicated to St Peter. This became Westminster Abbey and was completed only a week before Edward died.
Why do we call him ‘Confessor’? This term was given to Edward after his death, to reflect his life of great holiness and piety, and to indicate that he was a saint who did not die for his faith (known as martyrdom). How did King Edward become St Edward the Confessor? There are many stories about Edward’s journey to sainthood. Some of these stories tell us how important his Christian faith was to him during his lifetime. Other stories tell us about miracles associated with him, for example the time he gave a precious ring to a beggar (who turned out to be St John the Evangelist), or when he healed a leper. He was also said to have the gift of prophecy.
When is Edwardtide? Each year, the Abbey celebrates the life of St Edward the Confessor with a week of special services, sermons, festivities and prayer, known as the Octave of St Edward. This includes the National Day of Pilgrimage, which falls on the Saturday closest to the 13th October, the date of Edward’s Feast Day when his body was moved to its current resting place.
What happens at Edwardtide? Throughout this week, candles are lit and incense is burnt, and pilgrims make their journey to visit Edward’s shrine. Pilgrims and worshippers may come to renew their baptism vows, have their feet washed as a sign of welcome (a tradition stemming from the time when Christ washed the feet of his © 2023 Dean and Chapter of Westminster disciples to indicate that he was their servant), or visiting dedicated prayer stations, set up throughout the Abbey. Following the National Day of Pilgrimage on the Saturday, when the Abbey opens its doors for everyone, there is a Eucharist service on the Sunday. The heart of the national pilgrimage day is a festival Eucharist for all pilgrims.
Is pilgrimage important to Edwardtide? Pilgrimage is central to Edwardtide and has been for hundreds of years. Though there are celebrations taking place inside Westminster Abbey, the focus for those pilgrims visiting the Shrine of St Edward will be on their own personal journey to this special place.
Why is Edwardtide so special? For many people, particularly pilgrims, Edwardtide marks the end of their journey to Westminster Abbey. Many of those pilgrims will have travelled hundreds of miles to pray at the shrine of the saint and Edwardtide is the culmination of their pilgrimage – a small yet important part of it.
