Scottish Catholic Observer

The Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh was joined at the pilgrimage’s launch at Dunfermline Abbey by Fife actress Katie Milne (above), dressed as St Margaret for the event, pupils from St Margaret’s Primary School and pipers from St Columba’s High School who will lead the pilgrimage procession on Sunday June 28.
It is hoped that pilgrims will spend the day exploring the many historic places associated with St Margaret before gathering in the afternoon for a procession of her relics through the town’s streets.
“Today’s announcement of a new summer pilgrimage is very exciting,” Archbishop Cushley said. “This will be a real family event to which everybody in Scotland is invited given that St Margaret is an inspirational figure for all Scots as well as a Heavenly protectress of the people of our land.”
The pilgrimage will conclude with Holy Mass offered by Archbishop Cushley at St Margaret’s Memorial Church in the heart of Dunfermline.
“There’s already quite a buzz about the revival of the pilgrimage which hasn’t taken place in the town for 41 years,” Fr Chris Heenan, parish priest of St Margaret’s, said.
The roots of the summer pilgrimage date back to June 1250 when the relics of St Margaret were translated to a new shrine in Dunfermline Abbey following her Canonisation that year by Pope Innocent IV. An annual summer pilgrimage to Dunfermline soon emerged and continued until the late 16th century. It was then revived in 1899 and continued again until 1974.
St Margaret became Queen of Scots in 1070. She was renowned for her good influence on her husband, King Malcolm III, but also for her devout Christian piety, her charitable works towards the sick and poor while raising eight children of her own. St Margaret was declared Patroness of Scotland in 1673. She is also the Patron Saint of Mothers.
Speaking at the launch event, actress Katie Milne said she found St Margaret to be a good role model for the country’s young.
Organisers hope that pilgrims to Dunfermline will visit the various holy sites associated with St
Margaret during the day of 28 June. The procession of the holy relic through the streets of the town will begin at 3pm from the gates of Pittencrieff Park and will conclude at 4pm at the St Margaret Memorial Church with Holy Mass.

—This story ran in full in the May 15 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.

Pic: Paul McSherry