St Edmundsbury Cathedral to hold grand procession to the abbey ruins

A grand procession from a cathedral to a town's abbey ruins will echo the past later this month.

Members of the public can join bishops, civic representatives, monks, nuns and ecumenical guests in the procession from St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds to the Abbey Gardens on May 15 - a sentiment which will echo medieval processions into the Abbey of St Edmund.

It will end at the at the crypt of the abbey ruins beneath where countless pilgrims visited the body of St Edmund in its shrine during the Middle Ages.

The procession will make up part of the church service Vespers which will begin in the cathedral and conclude in the crypt with seating for 200 people and a homily by a Benedictine Abbot, Geoffrey Scott - the Abbot of Douai Abbey, Berkshire.

Monks and nuns from Benedictine communities around Britain and other countries will travel to Bury St Edmunds for the first time in 500 years as part of the Abbey of 1000 celebrations.

They will be joined at this gathering, "Abiding Wisdom", on May 14 and 15 by lay Benedictines and others to explore the wisdom of Benedict for 21st century living.

The day will include workshops on how Benedictine living can be applied to modern day life, as well as worship and fellowship.

Rev Canon Matthew Vernon of St Edmundsbury Cathedral, who is part of the Abbey 1000 C.I.C., said: "We envisage a large, fun, all-inclusive procession of people from across our community and faith traditions highlighting together the wonderful heritage of the town.

"We hope many people will join us and the visiting Benedictine monks and nuns for this historic occasion. All people are welcome to attend Abiding Wisdom too when we will learn from the ancient wisdom of St Benedict about how to live well.

"After centuries of practice, monks and nuns can teach us about compassion, listening to each other, and being present."

Abiding Wisdom is part of the Abbey 1000 series of events to mark 1000 years since the founding of the Abbey of St Edmund. The events has been made possible by a Heritage Grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Abbey 1000 celebrations are being coordinated by the Abbey 1000 C.I.C. (which includes St Edmundsbury Cathedral), alongside The Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Partnership.

The services on May 15, which include the procession, are free to join. Tickets for Abiding Wisdom on May 14 are £10 and can be booked here.