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Pilgrim passports are now available in every Church of England cathedral as part of the national campaign for 2020 Year of Cathedrals, Year of Pilgrimage. Visitors to St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds can purchase a passport from the Cathedral Shop, open seven days a week, where you can also collect your first sticker for visiting St Edmundsbury Cathedral.

These passport sized booklets have been published by the Association of English Cathedrals.  The hope is that the passport will inspire people to seek out other holy places as well as visit cathedrals. The Pilgrim Passport is full of inspirational quotes, pilgrim poems and prayers, a check list of cathedrals by region, and blank pages for visitors to record their thoughts and get their passport stamped at every cathedral or holy place they visit. 

‘The Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds is dedicated to St James, the patron saint of pilgrims,’ comments Sarah Friswell, PR Manager at St Edmundsbury Cathedral. ‘Furthermore, the town was once a major centre of pilgrimage with people of all walks of life visiting the shrine of St Edmund. We continue the tradition of welcoming visitors as pilgrims,’ she adds.

2020 is a special year of pilgrimage for the Cathedral as it is organising two pilgrimages linked to the 1000th anniversary of the founding of the Abbey of St Edmund.  

Dr Dee Dyas, Director for the Centre for the Study of Christianity and Culture, and Director for Pilgrimage Studies at York University said: ‘Pilgrimage has formed part of almost every faith through the centuries and increasing numbers of people today are finding the idea of being a pilgrim very appealing - whether they consider themselves 'religious' or not. All of us can relate to seeing our lives as a journey, enhanced by special places with special meaning.

‘The new Pilgrim Passport encourages everyone to find their own meaning though visiting these amazing buildings,’ she added.

You can also buy your Pilgrim Passport online from the Church Print Hub www.churchprinthub.org/pilgrim...