Lives ~ Legends ~ Landscapes
A Pilgrimage to South Wales
May 19 – 27, 2017
Lives, Legends and Landscapes: A Pilgrimage to South Wales
The roots of the church in Wales were planted in the sacred soil of a Celtic community formed by
inspiring landscapes, ancient legends, and dedicated people of faith. Tap into this rich tradition with a
pilgrimage to southern Wales.
Travel the enduring pilgrimage path to St. David’s Cathedral. Explore the coming together of cultures
that shaped early Britain at the ancient Roman site of Caerwent. Worship in the rolling green
mountains at Brecon Cathedral. Visit abbey ruins and holy wells where praise and petition have been
offered through the ages.
Join us as we travel to southern Wales, seeking to deepen our spiritual roots in the sacred sites and
contemplative practices that are our legacy from this branch of Celtic spirituality.
Pilgrimage Leader
Dr. Terri Lynn Simpson is the founder of Anam Cara Retreats. Celtic spirituality is
her path and inviting people into thin places where they may share their stories
and experience the presence of the Holy is her work. Terri is a spiritual director
and certified teacher of Centering Prayer, gifted in building community through
spiritual practices. Grounded in the three-fold practices of prayer, pilgrimage,
and poetry, she weaves strands of these Celtic influences into the retreats and
workshops she leads at home and abroad for churches, healing ministries,
women’s groups, and faith based non-profit organizations. In addition to having a graduate degree in
theology and a doctorate in spirituality and story, Terri is a long-time student of Celtic spirituality.
Pilgrimage Itinerary
Friday, May 19 – London, Heathrow
Our pilgrimage begins Friday afternoon as travelers from far and near make their way to our hotel,
conveniently located near Heathrow Airport. Meet and greet your fellow pilgrims at a welcome dinner
and learn more about the week ahead. After dinner and conversation, a brief service of compline
concludes the evening.
Saturday, May 20 – Avebury, Wiltshire and St. Michael’s Centre, Cardiff
This morning we board the bus to head west to Wales. Along the way, we stop at Avebury, the largest
Neolithic stone circle in Europe. Among the ancient stones where people gathered for rituals and
ceremonies over four thousand years ago, set your intention for this pilgrimage with a service of
blessing for the journey we take together this week.
After a break for lunch, the journey continues as we cross the Severn River into Wales. A reception
with tea and traditional Welsh cakes greets us upon our arrival at St. Michael’s Centre in Cardiff, our
home base during our time in Wales. Enjoy some time to settle in and explore the Centre and grounds
before gathering for dinner, conversation, and compline.
Sunday, May 21 – St. David’s Cathedral, Pembrokeshire
After an early breakfast, board the bus to head for St. David’s Cathedral. The
spiritual community founded by Dewi (David), the patron saint of Wales, has
been a place of pilgrimage since the sixth century when David established his
monastic community on the Pembrokeshire coast. After attending choral
matins, a brief walk takes us to St. David’s Education and Pilgrimage Centre
where lunch and a time of fellowship awaits. Following lunch, staff from the
Centre lead us in a meditation on the life and legacy of David as we walk the
ancient pilgrim trail to his birthplace and St. Non’s well.
St. Non's Well
Monday, May 22 – Tintern Abbey, Caerwent and St. Woolos Cathedral, Newport
This morning we make our way to Tintern Abbey. Best known for its ruins that have inspired poets and
artists, for centuries it housed an active Cistercian community that worked the land and offered
hospitality to commoners as well as kings. After lunch in Chepstow, a thriving market town on the bank
of the Wye River, travel back in time with a visit to the Roman market town of Caerwent. Local
historian, John Barnard, takes us on a walking tour of the area, bringing to life the first century lives of
both the Roman invaders who settled in the area and the native Celtic tribe who called this area home
long before the Romans moved in. Evening prayer at the St. Woolos Cathedral in Newport is our final
stop before returning to St. Michael’s Centre.
Tuesday, May 23 – Free Day
Today is set aside for rest and rejuvenation. Wander the path along the River Taff, a short walk from
the St. Michael’s Centre. Visit one of Cardiff’s many museums or art galleries. Board a local bus or train
and head to the seaside for the day. The day is yours to relax and explore.
For anyone interested, in the morning there is a service of Eucharist in Welsh at Llandaff Cathedral, a
five-minute walk from St. Michael’s Centre. After the service, those gathered can tour the cathedral to
hear the story of how the Norman building survived both Welsh and English invaders, a cyclone, and a
German bombing raid during World War II.
Wednesday, May 24 – St. Teilo’s Church, Llandeilo and St. Illtyd’s Church, Llantwit Major
Today we visit two churches founded by sixth century saints. In the morning,
learn more about Teilo, companion of St. David, and a bishop and teacher in his
own right. On our visit to Llandeilo Fawr, one of the 22 churches founded by
the saint, we celebrate Eucharist with the parish community. Afterwards, take
time to visit an exhibit about the Llandeilo gospel, an illuminated manuscript
that predates the book of Kells.
In the afternoon explore the seaside town of Llantwit Major, home of the first
school established in the British Isles. Sixty years after the college founded by
Roman Emperor Theodosius I was abandoned, St. Illtyd returned to the area to
The Llandeilo Gospel
establish the first clas or monastic college in Wales. The community became
the center of Celtic Christianity for decades, educating notable names such as
St. Patrick, St. David, and the bard Taliesin. The current Norman church has been called one of the
most beautiful in Wales and its remarkable collection of Celtic stones, crosses and effigies has earned
St. Illtyd’s the nickname “the Welsh Westminster Abbey.”
Thursday, May 25 – St. Cadoc’s Church, Llancarfan and Virtuous Well, Trellech
In 2008 architects working on a church in the tiny village of Llancarfan were amazed to discover an
array of medieval wall paintings, hidden under centuries of limewash. Recent conservation work
restored the paintings that include images of St. George fighting a dragon and the Seven Deadly sins.
After a morning visit to St. Cadoc’s, enjoy a leisurely lunch by the sea with a stop at Barry Island, once
home to Celtic saints and Viking raiders and now a place of pilgrimage for holiday goers in south Wales.
The day ends with a visit to another ancient place of pilgrimage, St. Anne’s Well. Reported to be the
only surviving of the seven holy wells of Trellech, pilgrims have traveled to this sacred ground for years,
leaving clooties, strips of cloth or ribbon, tied by nearby trees as visual reminders of their petitions and
prayers.
Friday, May 26 – Brecon Cathedral, Brecon Beacons and Hay Festival, Hay-on-Wye
Enjoy dramatic views of lush green valleys and soaring rugged mountains as we travel to Brecon
Cathedral, situated in Brecon Beacons National Park. Built on the site of an earlier Celtic church, the
cathedral began its life as a Benedictine priory before becoming the parish church of the Brecons after
the dissolution of the monasteries in the sixteenth century.
After time for prayer and worship in the cathedral, board the bus for a bibliophile’s dream destination,
Hay-on-Wye. Each May, this small village on the banks of the river Wye is home to pilgrims from
around the world for the Hay literary festival. The afternoon is yours to explore the festival, attend an
author lecture, or visit one of the dozens of used bookstores that have given Hay the nickname “the
town of books.”
Upon our return to St. Michael’s Centre for our final pilgrimage dinner, gather for a closing service to
celebrate our time together and prepare for the journey home.
Saturday May 27 – Depart Wales for London/Heathrow and Other Destinations
The pilgrimage ends this morning with a final blessing as we board the bus for Heathrow or continue
our travels on our own.
Fees and Travel Arrangements
The fee for the pilgrimage is $2500 per person. A $700 non-refundable deposit upon registration
secures your place on the pilgrimage. A $500 tax-deductible donation to Washington National
Cathedral is included in the non-refundable deposit.
Included in the pilgrimage fee are all hotel accommodations (double occupancy with a private bath;
see below for additional costs for single room occupancy), most meals, and ground transportation to
and from St. Michael’s and all pilgrimage sites in Wales.
Not included in the pilgrimage fee are airfare, medical insurance, travel insurance, expenses for a
passport and entry visa; daily lunches (except at St. David’s); additional food not included as part of a
set meal for the group; beverage, wines, or liquors; laundry; telephone calls; or any expense of a
personal nature.
SINGLE ROOMS
The supplemental cost for a single room includes your stay at the hotel and at St. Michael’s College.
The cost of the single supplement is $285.
SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS
$700 non-refundable deposit upon registration with the balance due two weeks after registration or
May 11, which ever date is earliest.
PASSPORT
A valid passport is required to travel to the United Kingdom and must be valid for a minimum of six
months beyond the duration of this pilgrimage. A special entry visa to the UK is not required for U.S.
passport holders.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS FOR THE PILGRIMAGE
Participants need to be in reasonably good health and be able to move their luggage on their own for a
short distance. Walking is required to get to many of the pilgrimage sites and the afternoon pilgrimage
at St. David’s includes a moderate walk of 1.5 miles on field paths and along the Pembrokeshire Coast
path. Sturdy walking shoes and a rainproof jacket are recommended.
FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Pathfinders Travel, Inc. is available to help you with your flight arrangements and travel insurance. For
assistance contact Susan Hunter at (616) 396-1983 or send an email to [email protected].
Registrations and Questions
TO REGISTER
Mail the registration form, along with an $700 check payable to Washington National Cathedral, to
Washington National Cathedral
Attention: Box Office
3101 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20016-5098
If you prefer to pay by credit card, please call the Cathedral box office at (202) 537-2221.
Full payment (including single supplement, if applicable) due by March 1, 2017.
Please email us at [email protected] if you have additional questions about the pilgrimage.
For questions about payment, please call (202) 537-2221.