This year marks the centenary of the re-establishment of the modern pilgrimage after the Reformation. Scotland’s bishops will mark the with a national pilgrimage on Sunday 25th August.While there was a strong tradition of pilgrimage to the burial place of St Ninian in Whithorn before the Reformation, only in 1924 was the pilgrimage resumed in its modern form. This year, therefore, we celebrate the centenary of the re-establishment of the modern pilgrimage after the Reformation. The bishops of Scotland have chosen to mark this anniversary by making the 2024 pilgrimage a national event and people from all parts of Scotland are invited to take part.
On Sunday 25th August, Holy Mass will be celebrated close to St Ninian’s Cave at 4pm with Bishop Francis Dougan of the Diocese of Galloway as Principal Celebrant.
For those unable to walk to the shore, Holy Mass will also be celebrated in St Martin and St Ninian’s church, Whithorn at 4.45pm by Bishop Joseph Toal of the Diocese of Motherwell.