Pilgrims travelling from Canterbury to London are sometimes told that they are going the wrong way. Once of course most Canterbury pilgrims had to walk or ride both ways.

But the Franciscan 800 pilgrims have been travelling from abroad to London and Oxford via Canterbury Cathedral.

They are marking the 800th anniversary of the first Franciscans arriving in England and at once visiting Canterbury and London.

Whilst those pioneer Franciscans were in Canterbury and its advance party in the capital, St Francis received the Stigmata -the wounds of Christ. That anniversary fell on Tuesday, the day of the Southwark welcome, and was kept with a special Mass at St George’s Roman Catholic Cathedral.

The day began at Southwark Cathedral with Anglican morning prayer and the Succentor Dr Thomas Sharp, a Third Order brother, giving the homily. The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, gave the blessing and presided at the Eucharist.

This was followed by a visit to All Hallows Eco Church in Copperfield Street.

Lunch started with the main food being served in the Amigo Hall at St George’s Cathedral but for the second course pilgrims had to go to nearby Archbishop’s Park where puddings included the pilgrim cake Tata de Santiago.

The day concluded with a visit to Lambeth Palace garden where the 468 year old fig tree, which has a cutting growing in the Vatican Gardens, was watered.

The day was hosted and organised by South Bank Churches.