The Southwark pilgrim badge of St Mary Overie has been officially launched at a celebration hosted by the Friends of Southwark Cathedral who have supported its creation.
For centuries pilgrims have worn a badge as a visible sign of their pilgrimage. Often it would be obtained on arrival at Canterbury and thrown into the Thames on the pilgrim’s return to the capital.
But some wore badges as they set out.
The Southwark badge is based on a broken 15th-century badge found by Cathedral Mudlark in Residence, Lara Maiklem, on the Thames foreshore near the Cathedral.
The letters ‘AVE MAR’ can be discerned suggesting, said Lara at the launch, that it is a Virgin Mary badge.
She supposed that the badge may have been obtained at the cathedral, then called Southwark Priory, as its dedication is to St Mary Overie or St Mary over the River from the City of London.
Colin Torode of Lionheart Replicas has recreated the badge depicting Mary holding Jesus with a lily and a dove.
The badge is available at Southwark Cathedral shop (£8).
The launch took the form of a pilgrimage with the Cathedral Friends meeting at the nearby Roman Catholic St George’s Cathedral.
Julian Filochowski, Oscar Romero Trust co-chair, gave a short talk at the National Oscar Romero Shrine which includes relics of the murdered archbishop.
Oscar Romero was murdered in 1980 as he celebrated Mass in El Salvador. Thomas Becket was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral during Vespers in 1170.
Those completing the Southwark-Canterbury Pilgrims’ Way can find relics of martyrs St Oscar Romero and St Thomas Becket at St Thomas of Canterbury Church close to Canterbury Cathedral.
After prayers, Friends and guests made a short pilgrimage walk to Southwark Cathedral for speeches and celebration. There is a link route known as the Romero Way.
The Friends of Southwark Cathedral are currently continuing their pilgrimage programme by walking the St Peter’s Way in stages.
