3. OCTOBER 3 - 6, 2003 PILGRIMAGE TO DOUAI (FRANCE)

Br Hugh, Fr Oliver, Fr Gervase, Fr Alban, Br Christopher Fr Abbot, Fr Alexander, Fr Godric in the stalls of the chapel in Douai.

CEMETARY The first official event of the pilgrimage was a visit to the town cemetary to pray at the graves of the monks and pupils of St Edmund's who died there. The vault also contains some unnamed monks of St Gregory's whose bones were discovered when the site of their church was being excavated for the foundations of a new builing for the Lycee Corot.

The monks and some of the members of the Douai Society with their wives and hosts at the tomb.

MONASTERY
From the cemetary the party went to the Lycee Corot, which now occupies our former buildings. We were welcomed by the Headmaster and saw the Ward Cloister where historic photographs were on display, the eigteenth century library built originally for the community of St Gregory and used the St Edmund's community the whole time they were in Douai, and the chapel where we celebrated Mass.

CHAPEL

The chapel was built in 1840 to the design of A.W. Pugin; it is his only work on the Continent. On the left is a view of the exterior, showing beyond a part of the monastery building put up in 1770 by the monks of St Gregory's. On the right is a view of the high altar prepared for Mass.

THE WARD CLOISTER Some of the party can be seen looking at the historic photographs which were on display, showing views of the life at St Edmund's during the 19th century. The cloister was erected as a gift from Edmund Granville Ward, a benefactor and frequent visitor at St Edmund's. The diamond plaque on the wall about half way along commemorates Rudesind Barlow OSB, monk of St Gregory's and sometime President General of the English Benedictines.

PLANQUES The group visited Planques, about four miles distant where the community had a large estate and country house. The house was used for the sick and elderly monks as well as rest periods. The grounds were used for sports, one of the photographs on display showed the boys playing cricket. There is an extensive lake which was used for swimming, boating and fishing. Part of the grounds are now owned by the town of Douai and are laid out as a public park and sports ground. The mayor of Douai with Fr Abbot unveiled a plaque by the side of the lake commemorating the historic connections.

"Former swimming pool of the students of the English College of St Edmund (now the Lycee Corot) This stele was unveiled on October 4, 2003 by Jacques Vernier, Mayor of Douai, Regional Councellor, Fr Abbot Geoffrey Scott of Douai Abbey (England) Nicole Corteel, President of the William Allen Association"

COLLEGIALE ST-PIERRE
On Sunday the community sang Terce and then Fr Abbot presided and preached at Mass in the Eglise St-Pierre.

Fr Oliver, Br Christopher, Fr Gervase, Pere Andre, cure of Douai, Abbot Geoffrey, Pere Etienne, vicarire of Douai.

DINNER Our hosts welcomed us royally, there were several presentations and celebratory meals. Sunday lunch was given in the Institute St-Jean, a large school which had been twinned with Douai School. Pictured on the right at the lunch are Pere Andre, Nicole Corteel, Abbot Geoffrey and Frere Ghislain, a De La Salle brother who taught at St Jean.

Registered Charity No. 236962
created 10/10/03 by GH
photography by Antony Burton

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