Welcome to the Templar Pilgrimage of the Grand Priory.
The Pilgrims' Journey is a work in progress which may take several years to complete. The mission is two-fold; firstly, to fulfil a main function of the Order by documenting monuments and locations around Britain, (and eventually the wider world) which are associated with the Knights Templar, and secondly, to make those sites accessible for those wishing to make a Pilgrimage.
Any member who visits one of the locations, or undertakes a Pilgrimage is invited to send in a report for inclusion. Please send a Word Doc., text file or PDF to secretary@omcth.org and please take plenty of photographs.
Information such as route accessibility, any facilities, and the time taken to complete the Pilgrimage would be useful, and adding a geo-location is helpful. If you are researching a site and use materials other than your own, it is imperative to reference them.
The Pilgrims Journey
A Pilgrimage is a journey to a site which holds significant spiritual significance for the Pilgrim. It is very different from travelling to a tourist destination in a fun and relaxed manner, as the whole journey from leaving home to arriving at the destination is undertaken in a purposeful way. In fact, the journey is as important as the destination because during it we have the opportunity to take time out of our busy lives to really think about our relationship with God and with our brothers and sisters. A Pilgrimage can be a transformative experience in charity and goodwill, in determination and sacrifice. There is no set time for a Pilgrimage to be undertaken, with the right intention a day trip can become a Pilgrimage.
In this Pilgrims' Journey, we have been seeking out sites which to the Knights Templar were of special importance, from family churches where they came home to rest, to the remains of Preceptories, to tiny chapels within more modern churches where they prayed for guidance.
Our intention is not only to walk in their footsteps, but to connect with the spirituality that they held so precious. They were not monks who learned to fight, but warriors who exchanged all worldly prestige for the humility of monastic vows. Their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary can be seen in the many churches named after her.
The Way of Saint James. Image courtesy of Kaye Miller-Dewing
As the site builds, we hope to include Pilgrimage routes which take varying times to complete. If anyone is going to visit one of the sites (or discovers a new one), please write up an account of your journey, with information that might be of use to those who follow, such as ease of transport getting to your start point, facilities en-route, and photos please! Also, if anyone is intending to make a pilgrimage and wants a companion, contact the Commander in your area who will put the word out.
We hope you will enjoy discovering the rich legacy that our Templar Brothers left us in Britain and contribute to the Pilgrims' Journey yourselves with articles and accounts of site visits.
This ancient prayer is one that is used by Pilgrims on the 'Way of Saint James' (St. James is the patron saint of Pilgrims) on reaching Santiago de Compostela. You may only be visiting a nearby church or ruin but set out with a prayer in your heart and it will become a Pilgrimage.
The Pilgrims Prayer
O God,
Be for us our companion on the walk,
Our guide at the crossroads,
Our breath in our weariness,
Our protection in danger,
Our shade in the heat,
Our light in the darkness,
Our consolation in our discouragements,
And our strength in our intentions.
So that with your guidance we may arrive safe and sound
at the end of the road, and enriched with grace and virtue
we return safely to our homes filled with joy.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Saint James pray for us,
Saint Mary pray for us.
