The Annual Combined Parishes' Pilgrimage
to the Shrine of Our Lady of Penrhys
took place on Saturday 31 May 2008,
the Feast Day of The Visitation of The Blessed Virgin Mary.

Penrhys welcomed hundreds of pilgrims for the combined parishes pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Penrhys, the Feast Day of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 2008 marks the 470th anniversary of the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII, who ordered Our Lady’s Statue to be taken to London where it was thrown out of the west window of St Paul’s Cathedral, dragged through the streets and publicly burnt. The chapel and hostelry at Penrhys were also destroyed.

In addition, 2008 also sees the 40th anniversary of the official opening of Penrhys Village.

Penrhys Partnership, a locally-based voluntary group, has organised an extensive year of celebrations, including new publications, a new exhibition and a film made by local young people, a major oral history project, performances, conferences and special outdoor events.

In 1953, a new statue was erected, which resembled the accounts of the original one. Over 20,000 people attended the first pilgrimage after the erection of the statue. In 1977, 2,000 people came to Penrhys for the first official pilgrimage of the sick, with mass celebrated by Bishop Mullins.

Today, the story of Penrhys has come full circle.

This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Our Lady of Lourdes where She pronounced the words,“I Am The Immaculate Conception”. At Penrhys, Our Lady carries baby Jesus in her arms and waits in anticipation. Bishop Jacques Perrier of Tarbes et Lourdes stated that he would like “to encourage people to celebrate the jubilee in their own places and make a pilgrimage to Lourdes in their hearts”. Not everyone can make it to Lourdes, for one reason or another, but perhaps they may consider making a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Penrhys where Jesus and Mary have been waiting in anticipation since the 12th century.

This year we will be praying for all lapsed Catholics to return to the Catholic Faith. Bishop Daniel Mullins was the Principal Con-celebrant, with the pilgrimage attended by hundreds of pilgrims with the Rosary, followed by the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament from the nearby Canolfan Rhys Arts Centre to the shrine, where Benediction will took place. A homily was given, followed by the Penrhys Hymn and hymns to Our Lady. All Hallows Choir provided the music.

Without the support of local volunteers, the event would not have been a success, with refreshments and inspiring new Penrhys Pilgrims memorabilia created by the local Crafty Pilgrims was made available during the day.

For more details of the Penrhys Pilgrims / Pererinion Penrhys 2008 Project,
please contact:-
Penrhys Partnership on 01443 755 008
or email:- penrhys@penrhyspartnership.co.uk

For further information about the pilgrimage, please contact: Laurence O`Leary
Tel: 01495 315460 or E-mail: olearycymru@yahoo.co.uk