Celebrating St Aldhelm at Sherborne Abbey

Children and staff at St Aldhelm’s School in the village of Doulting in Shepton Mallet Benefice took part of a diocesan-wide celebration of of St Aldhelm on his special day, 25th May. Any and every school and church dedicated to St Aldhelm was also invited to Sherborne Abbey, where Aldhelm had been Bishop, to participate in a mini festival on the green followed by a service in the Abbey.

The Revd Gill Sakakini, Pioneer Pioneer Priest in the Arts, organised the event and shared her reflection of the day.

Those who came from farthest afield were a group from a church in Edmundsbury, London. Children at St Aldhelm’s School, Doulting focussed on the famous Well in the village where the Bishop would rest when he visited and read psalms. During one such visit he became unwell and died in Doulting and miracles were reported which built faith and awe.

He was a notable saint; the first Anglo-Saxon to write in Latin verse, composer of 101 riddles in Latin hexameters, and a compelling teacher on compassion and justice. He was also heralded as a pioneer 100 years later by King Alfred who congratulated St Aldhelm for taking the Christian faith out of buildings and to the people. 

And out on the Abbey green with the people the children gave dramatic performances of St Aldhelm’s riddles through choral speaking which drew an interested crowd, as did their impressive, fast-paced song, “We are the Children of St Aldhelm’s School”. The whole school participated in 5 collaborative art pieces, which told the local story of St Aldhelm using recycled materials suitable for outdoors. These became 5 banners which the children proudly carried into Sherborne Abbey where Bishop Karen preached. All togethere we invited others to make prints of images relating to Aldhelm’s riddles which they took away. Children and staff of enjoyed playing their part in a wider and bigger gathering for Christian worship where their contribution was integral and valued.