2020 Year of Cathedrals, Year of Pilgrimage

Year of Cathedrals, Year of Pilgrimage 2020

He was excommunicated by Canterbury and died on the way to plead his case to the Pope.

Now the rich story of Thomas Cantilupe – 700 years a saint, educationalist, politician, and bishop – will be explored and celebrated in Hereford in a year of special events which include an exhibition displaying relics of St Thomas which once lay within his shrine.

Thomas Cantilupe was canonised and became St Thomas of Hereford in 1320. His shrine is in Hereford Cathedral and with over 450 miracles assigned to him – second only to Thomas Becket – it is still an important pilgrimage destination.

Find out more about 2020: Year of Cathedrals, Year of Pilgrimage.

And this Saturday (12 October) a service of faith and reconciliation will open Hereford’s St Thomas Cantilupe celebration year with Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, now the Rt Revd Lord Williams of Oystermouth , and the current Bishop of Hereford. The year will include lectures, exhibitions, worship and pilgrimage walks linking places associated with Cantilupe, his life and particular miracles.

The Dean of Hereford, the Very Revd Michael Tavinor said:

“Thomas Cantilupe was a figure of great significance in his day.”

“As we celebrate his life we not only look back to the lessons of history but also pray that the great themes of Thomas’s life, prayer, healing, reconciliation, may find a place in communities today – in Hereford, in our country and in our world”.

The 700th anniversary of the canonisation of St Thomas Cantilupe is one of a number of significant anniversaries to be marked by English Cathedrals during 2020 which include the 1,000th anniversary of St Edmundsbury; the 850th anniversary of the martyrdom of Thomas Becket, the 800th anniversaries of the canonisations of both St Benedict and St Hugh; the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Coventry Cathedral; the 800th birthday of the city and cathedral of Salisbury and the centenary of the burial of the Unknown Warrior.

For more information and to download the Thomas Cantilupe anniversary programme please visit: herefordcathedral.org/700-years-of-st-thomas-cantilupe

SERVICE OF FAITH & RECONCILIATION
Saturday 12 October, 3.30 pm
Everyone is welcome to attend this service which is ticketed. Application forms for free tickets can be obtained from Hereford Cathedral Office in person, by calling 01432 374 200 or visiting their website here.