Ninian of Whithorn

Pilgrimage prayers at Whithorn Bishop John Cunningham joins rain-soaked pilgrims in honouring St Ninian in Galloway Scottish Catholic Observer September 4, 2009 by Martin Dunlop. ___________________________________________________ BISHOP John Cunningham celebrat­ed the Mass in honour of St Ninian on the annual Galloway Diocese pil­grimage to Whithorn last weekend. Accompanied by Bishop Emeritus Maurice Taylor, many of the priests and hundreds of parishioners from throughout the Galloway Diocese and beyond braved the appalling weather to join the open-air congregation perched on rocks to contin­ue this most ancient of Scottish Catholic traditions. On the last Sunday of August the Galloway Diocese, led by the bishop, has traditionally gathered on the beach in front of St Ninian's cave to celebrate Mass. History and tradition Fr Stephen Latham, parish priest at St Joseph's, Kilmarnock, enjoyed this year's pilgrimage and spoke of the history surrounding St Ninian and the traditions of Galloway Diocese. “Nowadays when we think of pilgrimages, we think mainly in terms of overseas shrines like Lourdes or Rome or Medjugorje," Fr Latham said. "Modem travel has brought these places within the reach of all and tourist agencies make visiting such places relatively easy. But long before planes or railway, Scots pilgrims were to be found following the great pilgrim routes of Europe to Canterbury, Cologne or Compostela. "But of all pilgrimages within Scotland there is one which, above all others, should be described as Scotland's National Pilgrimage-the pilgrimage to the shrine of St Ninian at Whithorn in Galloway." Fr Latham explained that, older and more frequented than pilgrimages to St Andrews, Iona or Dunfermline, the pil­grim routes to Whithorn were in use during the Dark Ages and remained busy throughout the Middle Ages. Early pilgrims When St Ninian died, in the year 432AD, he was buried in the little church he had built at Whithorn and pilgrims continued to visit Whithorn to learn the scientia sanctorum-the knowledge of holy things. "Throughout medieval times an annual feast in honour of St Ninian was celebrated at Whithorn," be said. "It began on the Tuesday of Whitsun Week when the shrine of the saint was carried from the priory to the chapel outside the town and lasted until the Feast of St John the Baptist on June 24. "Another resort of the medieval pil­grim was the cave which ancient tradition associates with St Ninian. The crosses carved on the walls of this cave prove that, as far back as 12 centuries ago at least, pilgrims were visiting this cave where St Ninian once prayed. "Individual pilgrims came from all over the land; some sought healing others came to thank St inian for favours received. Kings and queens, as well as commoners, were' to be seen on the pil­grim road." Royal visitor In 1329, a few months before his death, King Robert the Bruce came from Cardross to Whithorn seeking a cure of his leprosy. His son, King David II came also to seek healing. The most regular royal pilgrim was King James IV, who visited the site almost every year. Bishop John Cunningham (inset) celebrates Mass with Bishop Emeritus Maurice Taylor, while hundreds of pilgrims brave the weather and rocks to participate (main). – PICS: EDWARD FLANNIGHAN • martin@scottishcatholicobserver.org.uk