Major celebrations at St Wulfram's Church

2020 was supposed to be a year of great celebration, a year which marked a very significant year in the history of the

ancient site of pilgrimage and prayer in Grantham, Lincolnshire.

In 2020 we observed the 1300th anniversary of the death of our Patron, St Wulfram; however, due to the pandemic,

we were not able to celebrate this properly. Not many churches can date the year of their patron’s death, but the

20th March marks the date of Wulfram’s death.

The most important of the events to happen this year is something which is both unique, very special and hugely

historical.

On the 18th March 2022 (close to the anniversary of the death of Wulfram) representatives of + Dom Jean-Charles

Nault, Abbott of Wandrille, France will bring to Grantham, as a gift, a relic of Wulfram.

This is truly a rare privilege, not only of the recognition of the Roman Catholic Community in France to an Anglican

Church, but also a significant sign of friendship and trust in us as a community of faith. A faith which goes beyond

geographical and political bounds.

This is only the second time in modern history that this remarkable ecumenical act of faith, love and trust has ever

been carried out and so Grantham and St Wulfram’s are truly blessed.

On the 18th March, we shall mark this occasion in a wonderful memorial way, with a formal greeting by the Mayor

and Charter Trustees at the Guildhall and a huge colourful and impressive procession through the town to the formal

reception of the relic of Wulfram at St Wulfram’s Church.

At 6pm: A torchlit procession (from the Guildhall to St Wulfram’s) to include the people of Grantham, local,

regional, national and international dignitaries, representatives of all the Benedictine Houses in England, huge

images of Wulfram, Ragbod (the king of Fresiha) children in costumes, music and other senior church

representatives.

At 6.30pm: The special service to receive the relic begins at St Wulfram’s

On Sunday 20th March, the actual day on which Wulfram died 1302 years ago, His Grace, The Archbishop of York,

The Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell, will preach at a very special Service in St Wulfram’s at 6.30pm

In a joint statement, Fr Stuart (Rector St Wulfram’s) and Fr Clay (Associate Rector of St Wulfram’s) said, ‘We hope

that this very special occasion, in which we as a community celebrate our patron and our love of God, may continue

to help us to grow in our faith and understanding of the God who inspired Wulfram to leave the comfort of his life as

an Archbishop to show others the life and love of Jesus Christ’.

Notes.