Day 5 was the day that it rained. No surprises there, as the pilgrims were leaving South Yorkshire behind and entering the Derbyshire Peak District. It is in such weather and such terrain that those penitential and sacrificial aspects come to the fore, which can really emphasise the ‘grim’ in ‘pilgrim’!
Holy Mass at Padley Chapel was celebrated by Frs Des and Dominic at the altar found in the 1930s, which had been buried in penal times rather than let it fall into the hands of those who would have destroyed it!
Fr Dominic preached on Matilda Fitzherbert (later Barlow), who survived three years in prison for harbouring the Blessed Nicholas Garlick and Robert Ludlam – and had returned to the Hope Valley to continue risking giving shelter to more priests so as to ensure local Catholics had access to the Holy Eucharist.
After Mass, swathed in waterproofs, the pilgrims set off towards Chatsworth…
All along the day’s route were reminders and symbols of sacrifice. We were not far from Eyam, where in the C17th, the villagers had bravely isolated themselves to prevent the spread of plague. We also learned, whilst passing St Helen’s Anglican Church and community shop, that many local churches across the area are dedicated to this saint, who was mother of Emperor Constantine and discoverer of The True Cross: our greatest symbol of sacrificial love.
We found ourselves taking the same route on which the Padley Martyrs and Fitzherbert family would have been marched on their way down to Derby, where they would make the supreme sacrifice for their faith …
After a few miles, a providential event continued the theme of the Sacrificial Lamb of God. Coming upon a field of sheep we found a black lamb caught fast, head and feet, in a wire fence. The ‘lost sheep’ stayed quiet and calm as he was gently freed – and the symbolism of Abraham’s ram caught in the thicket, which he sacrificed instead of his son Isaac, was not lost on the pilgrims!
At Chatsworth came an all-too-brief respite from the rain and an opportunity to picnic at Queen Mary’s Bower: where Mary, Queen of Scots spent time, incarcerated by the same dastardly Lord Shrewsbury who had colluded with the priest hunter and torturer, Richard Topcliffe, to capture the Padley Martyrs.
To avoid injury, two pilgrims went on to Matlock by ‘bus – but the others marched onwards as the clouds gathered for more downpours …
The ‘advance party’ reached the Church of Our Lady and St Joseph just as parishioners arrived to begin making a spectacular Pilgrims’ Tea! This was also providential, as the minute they set foot in the Church Hall, the rain began to hammer down on the roof – and presumably also on those who were still walking the last half of the 16+mile stage!
The welcome was warm and the spread was a sight to behold, with sandwiches, delicious home made cakes, and tiny pilgrim pies!
After prayers led by Fr Paul from the Diocese of Middlesbrough, pilgrims and their heavy baggage were conveyed up the long, steep hill to the night’s accommodation.
The next social event of the evening was a visit to the nearby Convent of the Presentation which occupies a former health hydro set in beautiful grounds. Throughout the pilgrimage we have been aware – especially during this Season of Creation – of our interconnectedness with each other and all of creation. The Sisters live sustainably and are called to a Spirituality of Being in Communion, and to awaken to the spirit of God present and active in all of life!
The delightful Sisters, who have run both a school and a care home, welcomed us with a light supper, sprightly conversation, and a short time of prayer followed by Salve Regina. Then, with the day’s sacrifices ‘offered up’ and mitigated by the kindness of strangers, we returned to rest and prepare – in hope – for another long day’s march in the rain!
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