Pilgrimage Days
In the Steps of St Cuthman
Saturday 26 October 2024 10am to 4pm
Join us for a meditative pilgrimage day in Steyning reflecting upon on the life and mission of St Cuthman, starting and finishing at Chantonbury Ring Car Park BN44 3DR. St Cuthman was born in about the year 680AD, during the time of St Wilfrid's mission based in Selsey to evanagelise the South Saxons. St Cuthman is recorded as having worked as a shepherd before setting off east, pushing his mother in a barrow, eventually settling in Steyning and building a church there.
Steyning was an important centre of Christianity in Saxon times and King Ethelwulf, father of King Alfred, is recorded as having been buried there in 858 AD. It was a pilgrimage destination throughout Medieval times when Steyning was known as St Cuthman's Port. The present Church of St Andrew and St Cuthman dates from around 1100 and was built on the site of earlier churches. It displays stunning Norman architecture.
The day will involve a either a longer walk of about 10 miles from Chantonbury Ring along the South Downs to Bramber and Steyning, retuning to Chanctonbury Ring Car Park along Mouse Lane or for those who cannot walk long distances there is an alternative by car visiting the churches at St Botolph's, Bramber, Upper Beeding and Steyning, joining the other pilgrims at certain points for times of reflection. Plesae bring a packed lunch and wear suitable clothing and footwear.
Prayer of St Cuthman
"Father Almighty you have brought my wanderings to an end; now enable me to begin this work. For who am I Lord, that I should build a house to your name. If I rely on myelf it will be of no avail, but it is you who will assist me"
The pilgrimage walk will start at Chanctonbury Ring Car Park and go from there across the Downs to Bramber, then to Steyning Church and then back to the car park along Mouse Lane. There will be times of prayerful reflection along the way. Walking distance about 10 mies along uneven country footpaths with mud and stiles. Please wear suitable clothes and footware.
Please bring a packed lunch. Meet at the car park at 10am. Finishing time 4pm approx. Suggested donation £10 to include pilgrimage booklet and a donation to the churches we visit.
To book please phone Maria on 01903 413606 or 07413 267267
or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Retreat & Quiet Days
Our Retreat and Quiet Days are held in the spacious and comfortable house.
The Retreat Days are themed and led by our spiritual director or a visiting retreat giver. They work with a theme and allow time for exploration through silence, prayer and creativity.
The Quiet Days allow you to spend the day in quiet contempaltion with others alongside you sharing the beauty and tranquility of the house, gardens and surrounding countryside. There are prayer resources, art and craft materials and riverside and country walks from the door.
Depending on the day, there may also be optional times group prayer such as Stations of the Cross or optional spiritual direction sessions.
Discover our upcoming dates for Retreat and Quiet Days below.
As St Teresa of Calcutta said;
"God is the friend of silence because He is not found in noise and restlessness. The essential thing is not what we say, but what God says to us and through us. Jesus always waits for us in silence, and in this silence He speaks to us. He will speak to our soul and there we will hear His voice."
Ignatian Reteat Day
Thursday 7 November 2024
DAY BY DAY
10am to 4pm | Cost £15
A day looking at a variety of ways we might use the Ignatian Examen to deepen our daily walk with God
Led by Roger Hagon who is experienced in ignatian spirituality and previously a tutor at the London London based Igatian Spritualty Centre. The day will start with coffee from 10am with Opening Prayer at 10.15. Art and craft materials and suggestions for their use in prayer will be available in the dining room and other resources in the Quiet Room, Sitting Room and Entrance Hall. There will tea at 3.30.
Coffee, tea, biscuits and cake provided. Please bring a packed lunch. From 10am to 4pm. Cost £15.
Booking essential - please contact Maria on 07413 267267 or 01903 413606
or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Future Dates
QUIET DAY
Spend the day at our Retreat Centre in peace and tranquility with prayer resources, art and craft materials, gardens and countryside and river walks from the door. Take some time to draw closer to the action of God in your life. The day will start with coffee from 10am with Opening Prayer at 10.15. Art and craft materials and suggestions for their use in prayer will be available in the dining room and other resources in the Quiet Room, Sitting Room and Entrance Hall. There will tea at 3.30.
Dates to be announced, email or phone Maria for more information.
