On Wednesday, March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, Archbishop Sarah Mullally was formally enthroned as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury during an ancient but vibrant ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral in England*. For those of us who are Episcopalians/Anglicans, this was a wonderful and historic day of joyful celebration with and for the new spiritual leader of our global family of churches.
In the days leading up to the inauguration of her new ministry, Archbishop Sarah undertook a walking pilgrimage from London, where she previously served as bishop, to Canterbury. The journey from St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, to Canterbury Cathedral was 140km (87 miles) and took 6 days to accomplish. Along this historic pilgrimage route, Archbishop Sarah, her husband Eammon, and a small band of fellow pilgrims stopped in various cathedrals, churches, and abbeys to pray. She and the other pilgrims also visited schools and ecumenical organizations in the towns and villages on the route. This pilgrimage was an opportunity to spiritually prepare for her new role as a major, national, and international Christian leader while also strengthening local connections with God’s people along the way.
Humans have been taking physical journeys for spiritual renewal for a very long time. Pilgrims have been walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain since the 9th century. In Ireland, pilgrims climb Croagh Patrick, a mountain associated with St. Patrick, barefoot or on their knees. Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, the great medieval English literary masterpiece, takes place along much of the same route that Archbishop Sarah recently traveled. In our own time, modern pilgrimages to sites connected to the Civil Rights Movement resonate with deep spiritual significance. For many Christians, a visit to the Holy Land is a profound opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
Moreover, the biblical witness reminds us of Abraham and Sarah, who by God’s invitation left their home in Ur to settle in Canaan; and of Moses, who led the Israelites from bondage in Egypt to freedom in the promised land; and of Jesus, who traveled extensively as part of his ministry before making one final pilgrimage from Galilee to Jerusalem—more about that in a moment. God’s people have pretty much always been on the move. Indeed, before we were called “Christians,” Jesus’ first disciples were known as “Followers of The Way.”
Wherever a pilgrimage takes us, the point is one of transformation and renewal. Whether half-way round the world or just walking around the block, an intentional pilgrimage helps us become more aware of the way God accompanies us through the whole of our lives. As many pilgrims will note, “the way is made by walking.” In other words, to have that transformative experience, you must get going!
At this time of year, of course, the pilgrimage we make is the one that takes us from the Temple to the Table, from the Garden to the Fortress, and from the Cross to the Empty Tomb. We undertake this Holy Week pilgrimage to Easter celebration not as tourists but rather as those in pursuit of Jesus’ healing and hope that transforms lives and systems.
Saint Francis Ministries has been on this journey for 80 years. In our work with children, families, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we follow Jesus to abundant life and authentic human flourishing. The road we travel has so many amazing points of interest: adoption, behavioral health, Family-Centered Treatment®, the HEART program, foster care, independent living, in-home prevention, and residential programs. Our programs and services bring new life and new hope to 9,000 children and families in seven states: Arkansas, Kansas, Indiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas.
This Eastertide, and throughout the whole year, we invite you to walk with us by supporting our work and joining our mission. On behalf of all of us here at Saint Francis Ministries, we bid you traveling mercies—and a most blessed Easter!
An Easter prayer from Saint Francis Ministries
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia!
Gracious and holy God:
the One whom the chains of death
could never bind
nor the grave ever hold fast,
who now lives gloriously
and eternally at your right hand,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
is revealed as your beloved
and our way, truth, and life.
Grant us, through the gift of
Jesus’ death and resurrection,
the assurance of your unending love
and the will to follow in his way;
help us to die daily to sin
and the service of self alone,
that, by word and deed we may serve
the children and families entrusted to our care
in the joy of his risen life. Amen.
*The Archbishop of Canterbury is the head of the Church of England and the ‘first among equals’ leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, of which The Episcopal Church is a part. Saint Francis Ministries was founded by Episcopal priest Fr. Bob Mize and continues to cherish its historic connection to the church as a faith-based, non-profit child & family welfare service organization. Of note, Archbishop Sarah is the first woman to become Archbishop of Canterbury in the 1,400-year history of the office. We join with Episcopalians and Anglicans, Christians from many other traditions, and other friends of good faith and common cause in wishing Archbishop Sarah well and praying for her as she begins her new ministry!
