Family visits to Aylesford

When children and young people visit the shrine, there is much to show them. the Relic chapel has a sculpture representing the caves of the original hermits above the relics of St Simon Stock. Two side chapels celebrate the Carmelite saints and the 40 English Martyrs. The chapel of St Joseph has an imposing carved wooden statue of St Joseph and is decorated with ceramics showing scenes from the life of St Joseph and, on the back wall, scenes from the Elijah cycle, including the contest with the prophets of Baal. There is a chapel dedicated to St Anne with scenes from the early life of Mary. Behind the shrine, the Rosary Way has ceramics representing the mysteries; the cloister chapel has a shrine dedicated to St Jude, and the chapter house tells the story of Aylesford in paintings.

The Shrine is open every day and I recommend families withing striking distance to take some lunch and spend a Sunday afternoon there. On Saturday evening at 8pm, the community have compline, followed by the Marian anthem at the main shrine altar. I often go myself after the Saturday evening Mass and take advantage of the pastoral care of the Friars who make themselves available afterwards for Confessions.

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