The Archbishop of Canterbury will set off on a six-day walking pilgrimage, as part of her spiritual preparation for her enthronement at Canterbury Cathedral.
Most Rev Sarah Mullally will embark on the journey on Tuesday, walking the near 90 mile route (140km) along the Becket Camino from St Paul’s Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral. It will be the first pilgrimage of its kind undertaken by an Archbishop of Canterbury in modern history.
It comes ahead of the ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday 25 March, after her confirmation at St Paul's Cathedral in January.
Archbishop Sarah will reflect on her journey from Bishop of London to Archbishop of Canterbury, walking with her husband Eamon and other pilgrims along the Thames Path.
The group will join prayer services at churches, cathedrals and abbeys along the route, including Southwark Cathedral, Aylesford Priory, the Shrine of St Jude in Faversham, Lesnes Abbey and Rochester Cathedral.
Archbishop Sarah will also visit schools on the journey. A special “pilgrim’s passport” has been designed by pupils of Ospringe Church of England Primary School in Faversham. The Archbishop's School in Canterbury have also written prayer cards, which will be handed out by the pilgrims.
David Monteith, Dean of Canterbury, and members of the Cathedral chapter, will join for the final stretch of the journey, arriving in time for Evensong on 22 March.
Archbishop Sarah said: "As I prepare for my installation at Canterbury Cathedral, it feels deeply humbling to be following in the footsteps of those who have walked this ancient route. For centuries, faithful pilgrims have flocked to Canterbury, and I will be reflecting on this tradition as we make our way through the Kent countryside and its towns and cities.
“I'm looking forward to visiting local churches, cathedrals and holy sites along the route - and to meeting people, praying with them and hearing their stories. As I walk this path I will be praying for our Church and our world, and asking God to bless those we meet. Every Christian life is a pilgrimage - a journey with God.
“As I begin this new chapter in my own life and ministry, I am grateful to be walking with God and with others,” Archbishop Sarah added.
Torin Brown, pilgrim officer at Canterbury Cathedral, has said it will be a “great privilege and honour” to join Archbishop Sarah on the journey.
Daily themes will be shared on social media, so people can join in prayer.