Each year the Grand Priory makes a pilgrimage to the site of the martyrdom of our Blessed David Gunson on his feast,12 July.

Blessed David, one of our three Reformation martyrs (together with Blessed Adrian Fortescue and the Venerable Thomas Dingley), was executed during the Henrician persecution of the church, on 12 July 1541 at St Thomas Waterings, Southwark. Having long been venerated by the Order as a martyr, he was formally beatified on 15 December 1929.

The pilgrimage will begin with Holy Mass and Sermon at 6pm at the Church of Our Lady of la Salette, Melior Street, Borough SE1 3QP (courtesy of the Parish Priest, Fr Mark Powell OAR). The church is five minutes’ walk from London Bridge Station, behind Guy's Hospital. The Preacher is Fr Francis Murphy, priest of the Archdiocese of Southwark.

After Mass (at c.6.45pm) we will walk, praying the rosary silently, along the Martyr route via Tabard Street (formerly Kent Street) and Old Kent Road to the site of martyrdom at Saint Thomas Waterings (about 25 minutes), on arrival at which short prayers will be said. This was the route of the Canterbury Pilgrimage, so many of the holy Martyrs had made this journey before under happier circumstances.

Those unable to walk should bring a car or arrange some other means of transport.

If you would like to attend, please let us know.

We hope one day soon to be able to erect a small monument to Blessed David at the martyrdom site, for which we have the support of the Archbishop of Southwark - for more information and if you would like to support this please contact us - you can also make a donation for this purpose which would be gratefully received.