ON THESE GROUNDS

I arrived yesterday and traveled to St Albans, UK. Today we begin to prepare for Brightlights Festival. Tomorrow, we will welcome about 350 young adults who will arrive and begin a 4 day journey together. The festival theme is 'ON THESE GROUNDS' and will be a journey with they witness of St Alban. The festival takes place at the All Saints Pastoral Center, which is located on the grounds where St. Alban was arrested and sentenced to death because of his faith.

St Alban was a Roman soldier, practicing a Pagan Religion when he encountered the generosity of a priest. As a friendship developed, he ended up taking the priest into his home for the priest to hide during a time when they were arresting and killing all religious. There he experience the Lord Jesus through the witness of this priest, converted and was baptized into the faith.

When it was discovered by Roman officials that the priest was at Alban's home, they arrived to arrest the priest. Alban, knowing he would be killed, took on the clothing of the priest and fled to these grounds, as a diversion. Here he was found and arrested. When they recognized who he was, a very highly ranked officer, the Romans gave him the option to renounce Christianity and live or be put to death. He proclaimed His faith to Jesus Christ and was then taken to be executed. He was only a Christian for a few weeks... yet was given the great grace to give all of his life for the sake of Truth Himself. And so, this place where that journey began is truly holy ground.

St Alban is the first Christian Martyr of England. And as an important saint to this nation, he was martyred for the faith before reformation, at a time where the Church was truly in unity and undivided. So, I believe the intercession and witness of St Alban is a most important saint at this time, as we continue to pray we might all again be one.

St. Alban pray for us and all those who will come here tomorrow seeking to grow closer to the Lord.