Saint Alban

Today is the Summer Solstice, in my location Sunrise was at 0428hrs. and Sunset will be at 2149hrs. giving a day length of 17.20hrs..

                                                Stained glass window in St.Alban's Cathedral.

Tomorrow, June 22nd., is the saint's day of Saint Alban - the first English martyr in Roman Britain - he was beheaded in the Roman city of Verulamium (now St.Albans,Hertfordshire,England) in the 3rd. century.

In the early 1970's I joined the pilgrimage to the shrine.  Groups from various churches in the area walked in from the the countryside carrying banners and crosses and met in the park below the Cathedral.  After refreshments we formed into one procession to the Abbey to circle the shrine before being seated for the service.  As we passed the shrine we tossed a flower onto it, by the time everyone had completed the circuit the shrine was covered and the scent of the flowers permeated the whole church.  Altogether an unforgettable experience.

A Prayer for St.Alban.

Almighty God, by whose grace and power thy holy martyr Alban triumphed over suffering and was faithful even unto death.  Grant to us, who now remember him with thanksgiving, to be faithful in our witness to thee in this world, that we may receive with him the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
                                                                                                              Amen