Visit to Whithorn

St. Ninian’s Cave Pilgrimage: A Day of Faith, Fun, and Fellowship!

This year, the Primary 7 pupils at St. Joseph’s embarked on a very special journey – the annual pilgrimage to St. Ninian’s Cave at Whithorn! Joining forces with our fellow Catholic schools, St. Teresa’s, St. Columbus’s, and St. Andrew’s, we created a wonderful day filled with faith, friendship, and exploration.

The day began with a beautiful walk down the wooded trail, the dappled sunlight and fresh air setting the perfect tone for reflection. Arriving at the beach, we stood where St. Ninian himself once stood, and a sense of history and spirituality filled the air.

Father Ben Lodge, Reverend Gerald Donnelly, Father Uchenna Odenigbo, and even Bishop Frank Dougan himself joined us for a moving Mass service. It was truly inspiring to see our children, Lolah and Bentley, confidently reading their bidding prayers alongside pupils from the other schools.

Following the service, we made our way to the cave itself. Though access to the interior wasn’t possible this year, the children found plenty of fun exploring the surrounding rocks. We even managed to recreate last year’s iconic photo of the Primary 7s, capturing a moment of joy and friendship.

The day wouldn’t have been complete without some well-deserved ice cream cones! As we enjoyed our sweet treats, the smiles on the children’s faces spoke volumes about the wonderful experience they had shared. The sense of community spirit between our schools and the guidance from our esteemed clergy made this year’s pilgrimage truly special.

We can’t wait to continue this tradition next year and create even more lasting memories at St. Ninian’s Cave!

  • UNCRC 14: Right to Freedom of Thought and Religion (this pilgrimage provided an opportunity for the children to participate in a religious activity and explore the faith of their school community)
  • UNCRC 31: Right to Play and Culture (The walk, exploration of the surroundings and overall experience offered a fun and engaging way to learn about religious heritage and connect with nature)
  • UNCRC 15: Right to join groups or organisations (The pilgrimage fostered a sense of community and belonging as pupils came together with peers from other Catholic schools)
  • UNCRC 29: Right to Education (By visiting a historical and religious site, the children learned about St. Ninian and the history of Christianity in Scotland, contributing to their cultural and social education)
  • SHANARRI – Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Included
  • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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