Every year Westminster Abbey commemorates the feast of one of its great Benefactors St Edward the Confessor, whose Shrine is at the heart of the Abbey, with a week of celebrations in October.

Edward reigned as King of England from 1042 to 1066. Driven from England by the Danes, he vowed that if he should return safely from exile in Normandy he would make a pilgrimage to St Peter's Rome. Restored to the throne he found it impossible to leave his subjects and the Pope made a condition for releasing him from his vow: that he found or rebuild a monastery dedicated to St Peter.

Edward rebuilt the Abbey, already at least a century old, alongside his new Palace at Westminster. The Abbey Church, dedicated in honour of St Peter, was consecrated on 28th December 1065, a few days before his death. He was buried before the High Altar but, following his canonisation, on 13th October 1161 his remains were translated (transferred) to a new and more fitting tomb. On 13th October 1269, the new (and current) Abbey Church, built in devotion to St Edward the Confessor by King Henry III, was consecrated and the Saint's remains were moved to the Shrine behind the High Altar where they remain to this day.

The Feast of the Translation of St Edward the Confessor includes a Sung Eucharist on the day itself, a joint Evensong with the choir of Westminster Cathedral the following day and the first national Pilgrimage to the Shrine on the Saturday. The Pilgrimage Saturday begins with Matins, includes a lecture on St Edward the Confessor by the Reverend Dr Nicholas Sagovsky, Canon Theologian, timed devotional visits to the Shrine and children's activities. At the heart of the Pilgrimage at Noon is a Sung Eucharist at the High Altar, at which the Preacher is the Reverend Philip North, Priest Administrator of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. The day culminates with Choral Evensong sung by the Abbey Choir. The Abbey will be open all day only to pilgrims and worshippers. Throughout the week services will be of the Feast.

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