St.Swithun's Patronal Festival-Advanced Notice
This year we shall celebrate our Patronal Festival on Sunday, 13th July although of course St.Swithun's day is actually
on the 15th of the month.
Swithun was Bishop of Winchester for ten years from AD852 and the 15th July is the anniversary of the translation,
or moving, of his relics in AD964 from outside Winchester Cathedral to the interior.The occasion is said to have been marked
by many miraculous cures and the renowned heavy rainfall on that day is attributed to the fact that Swithun is said not to
have wishes to be buried inside the cathedral.At the Reformation his shrine, which was popular with pilgrims in the Middle
Ages, was demolished and his relics disappeared. However, the shrine was restored by the cathedral authorites in 1962. There
are 58 churches in England dedicated to St. Swithun so we shall join with them this month to celebrate and give thanks for
the life of Swithun.
Our Patronal festival services will be as follows:
8.00am Low Mass-Celebrant Fr.Hugh
9.30am Solemn Mass and Procession to the Shrine
Celebrant and Preacher: Fr.Peter Clarke SSC who
is the Forward in Faith West Wessex Regional Dean
6.00pm Evensong and Benediction-Officiant Fr.Roger Pittard
Member of the GSS Chapter will join us.
Refreshments will follow the 9.30 am and 6.00pm services.
Please make a note on your diaries and join in the celebrations!
Alan Wakefield
