Pupils experience a ‘pilgrimage across four faiths’

Over 120 pupils took part in a unique opportunity to explore a ‘pilgrimage across four faiths’.

Year seven pupils from Darwen Vale and Blackburn Central High School, along with over 100 year 6 pupils from primary schools across the borough, spent a day at the iconic Blackburn Cathedral to explore ‘the impact of walking a spiritual pathway’.

The SACRE conference was delivered by the Blackburn Diocese and invited pupils to explore the importance of pilgrimage across different faiths.

As an added bonus, the pupils had the opportunity to visit the statue of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, as she made her visit to Lancashire. Our Lady of the Walsingham is currently on tour as part of the Centenary events which coincide with Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and so the pupils had the rare opportunity to meet and visit this sacred monument.

The pupil conference will help to shape the Blackburn with Darwen religious education syllabus.

Julie Gunn, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:

It’s so important that children growing up in different parts of Blackburn with Darwen have chances to learn from one another, to explore different religions and cultures. The young people had a fantastic day today and I am so pleased to see so many schools participating in this important event.

Helen Sage, Advisor to High Schools and Academies at Diocese of Blackburn, said:

We are really excited to welcome the young people from local schools to come and see Our Lady of Walsingham and hear why Walsingham is so important to many Christians.