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0:00:30 > 0:00:35- Today, I'm going to tackle a subject - which is an important part...
0:00:35 > 0:00:37- ..of some people's faith...
0:00:37 > 0:00:41- ..but which is derided - as superstition by others.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45- Saints and their relics - divided our country in the past.
0:00:45 > 0:00:50- But I'm starting my journey on the - roadside in Barnes, South London.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55- The past is another country, - as someone once said.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58- They do things differently there.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01- One of the different - aspects of our past...
0:01:02 > 0:01:05- ..that most of us - might find strange today...
0:01:05 > 0:01:07- ..is worshipping saints...
0:01:07 > 0:01:12- ..or going on pilgrimages to places - linked to their life or death.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16- We wouldn't do that, would we?
0:01:16 > 0:01:19- # Ride A White Swan # - T.Rex
0:01:19 > 0:01:23- Marc Bolan, T Rex's singer, - died in this exact spot...
0:01:23 > 0:01:26- ..in a fatal car accident.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28- # Like if you were a bird #
0:01:28 > 0:01:35- Ever since, this place has drawn - pilgrims from all over the world.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38- Maybe coming here to pay tribute...
0:01:39 > 0:01:41- ..makes them feel closer to the man.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47- Marc Bolan isn't the only person - who evokes this kind of interest.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52- Even objects touched - by famous people...
0:01:52 > 0:01:56- ..can exchange hands - for amazing prices in auctions.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59- A lock of John Lennon's hair - sold for 24,000...
0:01:59 > 0:02:01- ..Elvis Presley's belt for 41,000.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05- Even a sandwich - partly eaten by Britney Spears...
0:02:05 > 0:02:07- ..sold on eBay recently for 280.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10- They're ordinary things.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13- But an element of mystique - is attached to them...
0:02:13 > 0:02:17- ..because they belonged - to someone we admire.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19- We call them memorabilia today.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23- In the Middle Ages, - they would be relics.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30- For Christians, a relic is something - that we can link to a saint's life.
0:02:31 > 0:02:36- Saints were the rock stars - of the Middle Ages.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42- I was raised in the Welsh - Nonconformist tradition...
0:02:43 > 0:02:48- ..so the idea of praying - at a shrine is very unfamiliar.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54- Today, I'm going to try to - understand why saints and relics...
0:02:54 > 0:02:59- ..have been so important - in our spiritual tradition...
0:02:59 > 0:03:01- ..and still are for some today.
0:03:02 > 0:03:07- I'm going to Scotland to see - how influential one saint was.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17- This is the tomb of St Mungo.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21- When he first came here - in the 6th century...
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- ..this whole area was open ground.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- He settled on the riverbank.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29- He founded a church.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31- In time, he became the bishop.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35- He was so well loved - that when he died...
0:03:36 > 0:03:40- ..his grave became - a place of pilgrimage.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47- Over the centuries, so many came - here to worship at Mungo's grave...
0:03:48 > 0:03:52- ..that the place grew to be - a small village, then a town...
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- ..then, eventually, a city.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03- We're in that city, Glasgow, - Scotland's largest city.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08- The M8, thundering past - over there, reminds us...
0:04:08 > 0:04:12- ..of all the human traffic - drawn here over the ages...
0:04:12 > 0:04:14- ..to this saint's tomb.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19- There would be hardly anything here - if it weren't for St Mungo.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- We don't know much about Mungo.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27- He came here in about 540.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31- His real name - was Cyndeyrn, Kentigern.
0:04:31 > 0:04:36- He spent time in Wales too - and founded a church in St Asaph.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- But his home was here - in the Old North.
0:04:40 > 0:04:45- He got the nickname Munghu, - or Mungo, which means "dearest".
0:04:46 > 0:04:51- The city where he died was - called "Clas gu", or Glasgow...
0:04:52 > 0:04:55- ..which means - a dear church community.
0:04:58 > 0:05:03- The English poet Philip Larkin said - "What will survive of us is love."
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- Nothing shows that - better than this place.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09- Whatever we think - of relics and saints...
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- ..we can't dismiss - Scotland's largest city...
0:05:13 > 0:05:17- ..a lasting testimony - to people's love for St Mungo.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- Mungo's story is a gentle - introduction to the history...
0:05:24 > 0:05:26- ..and significance of saints.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31- But some stories about saints - are truly terrifying.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- Maybe that's part of their appeal...
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- ..as we will see - in my next port of call.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45- I'm in St Albans, the oldest place - of Christian pilgrimage in Britain.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49- It's easy to understand - its historical appeal.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- It was the site - of the Roman town, Verulamium.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57- Early in the 4th century, St Alban - was arrested by the Romans...
0:05:57 > 0:05:59- ..because of his faith.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03- He was tried in a court and dragged - to the top of that hill...
0:06:04 > 0:06:06- ..to be publicly executed.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14- To find out more about St Alban...
0:06:15 > 0:06:19- ..I've come to meet the Dean - of the cathedral, Jeffrey John.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25- He lived in a time - of Christian persecution...
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- ..under the emperor Diocletian.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31- He wasn't a Christian...
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- ..but he met a Christian priest...
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- ..who was fleeing - from the Roman army.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44- Alban sheltered - the priest in his house.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49- So he learnt about - Christianity from the priest.
0:06:49 > 0:06:55- In time, the soldiers - came after the priest.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59- But Alban exchanged - clothes with the priest.
0:07:00 > 0:07:05- So the priest escaped - in Alban's cloak.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- But Alban was arrested.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12- He was tried and found guilty.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- He was dragged up the hill...
0:07:17 > 0:07:19- ..where he was decapitated.
0:07:19 > 0:07:24- He was buried here, - where the cathedral stands now.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- Over 1,700 years - after St Alban's execution...
0:07:32 > 0:07:37- ..pilgrims still come here - to worship at his shrine.
0:07:37 > 0:07:42- But for many centuries, - this was not possible.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45- This is an Anglican cathedral.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50- In the 1530s, - in the Protestant Reformation...
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- ..shrines like this were demolished.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58- The remains of the shrine were - discovered and rebuilt in 1872.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- But it was over - a century later, in 2002...
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- ..that the relic - was returned to the church.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- Dean Jeffrey John - was here at that time.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16- The Archbishop of Cologne - gave us Alban's shoulder bone.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22- One of the German - bishops came here...
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- ..for a very special service.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- It makes a difference.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- A woman who saw the service...
0:08:31 > 0:08:36- ..when the German - bishop came here...
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- ...said, "Alban has come home."
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- I thought that was very interesting.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47- Is it a way for us - to stay linked to the saint?
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- I think that's it.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53- The relic is a substantial link.
0:08:54 > 0:09:00- It's something - to hold on to, literally.
0:09:00 > 0:09:07- People keep a memento - of someone who has died...
0:09:07 > 0:09:12- ..like photographs or things - that belonged to that person...
0:09:12 > 0:09:15- ..perhaps a lock of hair.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19- That's a kind of relic.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24- How difficult has it been - to include St Alban's relic...
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- ..back in the church's life?
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- We haven't had much opposition.
0:09:29 > 0:09:35- The great majority - of people are very happy...
0:09:35 > 0:09:40- ..that something of Alban - is back in the cathedral.
0:09:40 > 0:09:46- As one of the workers - told me after the service...
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- "..I don't know, Dean...
0:09:49 > 0:09:54- "..but when the relic, the bone, - returned to the shrine...
0:09:54 > 0:09:59- "..it was like the battery - going back into the machine."
0:10:02 > 0:10:07- It seems that returning the relic - of St Alban to this church...
0:10:07 > 0:10:10- ..has had quite an effect on people.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- In the second part, - I try to understand why...
0:10:13 > 0:10:17- ..by visiting a place - a little nearer home.
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0:10:22 > 0:10:22- Subtitles
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:10:28 > 0:10:33- Saints and their relics aren't - part of my spiritual background...
0:10:33 > 0:10:35- ..as someone raised in a chapel.
0:10:36 > 0:10:41- But today, I'm on a journey to try - to understand what their appeal is.
0:10:42 > 0:10:48- To do that, I'm on my way - to Wales's most important cathedral.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- I'm following the path - of the thousands of pilgrims...
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- ..who flocked here over - the centuries to St David's relics.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02- David shaped the history - of the church in Wales.
0:11:02 > 0:11:07- As our patron saint, he helped - form our national identity.
0:11:07 > 0:11:12- In such a Nonconformist, - Protestant country...
0:11:13 > 0:11:18- ..it's odd that we hold a Catholic - saint so close to our hearts.
0:11:18 > 0:11:23- But unlike the other patron - saints of Britain and Ireland...
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- ..David is the only one - who was born and grew up...
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- ..in the country - he later came to represent.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- David was born - on the Pembrokeshire coast.
0:11:39 > 0:11:46- He became an ordinary monk and went - on to be an abbot, then a bishop.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49- Before his death in 589...
0:11:49 > 0:11:53- ..he was appointed - Archbishop Of Wales.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58- His importance has - lasted over the centuries.
0:11:58 > 0:12:03- Our interest today - in this saint is as strong as ever.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- St David's relics were lost - in the Protestant Reformation.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- But his tomb survived - and was recently restored.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18- Some believe that the presence - of a saint can remain...
0:12:18 > 0:12:23- ..and sanctify an object - simply because of a link with him.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25- So the tomb can become a relic.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31- It's essentially the same principle - as Britney Spears's sandwich.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35- But there's a better - example in the New Testament.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40- A sick woman wanted to touch Jesus - as he walked through the crowd.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- She only succeeded - in touching his garment...
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- ..but that was enough to heal her.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50- SAINT DAVID
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- When St David's shrine - was restored in 2012...
0:12:54 > 0:13:00- ..the Bishop said that their hope - was that visitors to St Davids...
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- ..would be changed - into pilgrims in faith.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06- But are these futile hopes?
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- It's unlikely that - restoring St David's tomb...
0:13:11 > 0:13:15- ..will fundamentally change - the way we think of him...
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- ..in our Protestant Wales.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- David became famous...
0:13:21 > 0:13:26- ..because his saintliness attracted - pilgrims in the Middle Ages.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30- Since then, he has developed - a different significance...
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- ..a secular, or even political, one.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39- When we wear a daffodil on March 1 - and go to St David's Day dinners...
0:13:39 > 0:13:43- ..that has more to do - with our nationality...
0:13:43 > 0:13:45- ..than our spiritual lives.
0:13:45 > 0:13:50- We're unlikely to see thousands - of pilgrims flocking here again.
0:13:50 > 0:13:55- But restoring it - to its former glory...
0:13:55 > 0:14:01- ..is a very fitting way to honour - and commemorate our patron saint.
0:14:04 > 0:14:09- Maybe Protestant churches - aren't the best places...
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- ..to truly appreciate - the saints' spiritual appeal.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- I'm returning to London...
0:14:15 > 0:14:19- ..to the Catholic - Cathedral of Westminster.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25- Catholics have always revered - saints and their relics.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30- I've come to see - one relic in particular...
0:14:30 > 0:14:34- ..from a comparatively recent time, - about 350 years ago.
0:14:34 > 0:14:40- It's a much more striking relic - than anything I've seen so far.
0:14:44 > 0:14:49- Unlike many relics, - that can be rather abstract...
0:14:49 > 0:14:54- ..perhaps a small, ancient bone, - very often out of sight...
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- ..this is much more direct.
0:14:58 > 0:15:04- This is the body of a man who was - executed because of his faith.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10- He was hanged, drawn and quartered.
0:15:10 > 0:15:15- His body was sewn back together - and hidden for years...
0:15:15 > 0:15:20- ..before it was possible - to return it here to Westminster.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25- Although the silver mask - on his face and hands...
0:15:25 > 0:15:28- ..make him look peaceful...
0:15:28 > 0:15:33- ..there is something rather - discomfiting about this relic...
0:15:33 > 0:15:35- ..and rather horrifying.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- Here, we can touch our past...
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- ..a barbaric time in our past.
0:15:43 > 0:15:49- It's easy to see how this man's - bravery can bolster people's faith.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58- St John Southworth - was a Catholic priest.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04- He had done charitable work amongst - the poor of London for some time...
0:16:04 > 0:16:08- ..when he was arrested in 1654.
0:16:10 > 0:16:15- Being a Catholic priest - was completely illegal at the time.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- He was condemned to a cruel death.
0:16:20 > 0:16:25- It's a powerful story. The relic - itself is a powerful symbol too.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28- But I want to learn more...
0:16:29 > 0:16:34- ..about why exactly saints are such - a vital part of the Catholic faith.
0:16:34 > 0:16:39- I'm going to talk to the Head of - the Church in England and Wales...
0:16:39 > 0:16:41- ..Archbishop Vincent Nichols.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- The Catholic understanding of saints - is that they're alive in Heaven...
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- ..and they are attentive - to our efforts here...
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- ..and help us with their prayers.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- So there's not just - a memory relationship...
0:16:58 > 0:17:00- ..but a living relationship - with saints.
0:17:00 > 0:17:06- I think it is a misunderstanding - that we worship saints. We don't.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10- We offer them our love - and we ask for their prayers.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12- We draw strength - from their example...
0:17:12 > 0:17:16- ..and their continuing presence - as part of the living church.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18- I remember vividly...
0:17:18 > 0:17:23- ..the cortege carrying - the body of Princess Diana...
0:17:23 > 0:17:25- ..coming up the Edgware Road.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28- The Edgware Road - was crowded with people.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30- They were throwing flowers...
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- ..to catch them - on the hearse as it went by.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36- And somebody said to me...
0:17:37 > 0:17:40- "..Each of those flowers - is a prayer for Diana."
0:17:40 > 0:17:42- The same man went on to say...
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- "..I think this moment marks the end - of the Reformation in England."
0:17:47 > 0:17:52- English people are discovering again - their voice at the point of death.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55- We do pray for those who have died.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59- And they're discovering - their vision of a future...
0:17:59 > 0:18:04- ..which is so vividly expressed - in the lives of the saints.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09- I don't know about the end - of the Protestant Reformation...
0:18:10 > 0:18:13- ..but death does affect us all.
0:18:14 > 0:18:19- Most of us at some time have visited - the grave of someone dear to us.
0:18:19 > 0:18:25- Maybe coming to pray to a saint's - relics isn't all that different.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31- Whatever our religious background...
0:18:31 > 0:18:36- ..we can all be inspired by stories - about our predecessors in faith.
0:18:36 > 0:18:41- What I see here - is that relics can be a step...
0:18:41 > 0:18:43- ..to getting that inspiration.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54- I'm going to finish - my journey back in Wales...
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- ..by visiting - a remote little church...
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- ..that nevertheless - attracts hundreds of pilgrims.
0:19:02 > 0:19:07- This is Pennant Melangell, - near the Berwyn Mountains...
0:19:07 > 0:19:12- ..the home of a saint who made - this place a nature reserve...
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- ..as well as a reserve for faith.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- Melangell was a princess - in the 7th century...
0:19:20 > 0:19:25- ..who had decided to become - a hermit to avoid having to marry.
0:19:25 > 0:19:30- So she came to this valley - to live a life of prayer...
0:19:30 > 0:19:34- ..in harmony with - the wild animals around her.
0:19:35 > 0:19:41- But one day, King Brochwel - and his men came here to hunt hares.
0:19:41 > 0:19:49- One terrified hare ran to hide under - Melangell's cloak as she prayed.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53- She used her saintliness - to protect it.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- The king's chief - hunter stepped forward.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01- He lifted his horn to his lips, - to set the dogs on the hare.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04- But no sound came from it.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08- This greatly impressed - King Brochwel.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12- So he gave the valley - and all its animals...
0:20:12 > 0:20:16- ..to the care - of Melangell, for ever.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20- Even today, local people - refer to hares...
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- ..as Melangell's Little Lambs.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29- The story of Melangell - is a simple one.
0:20:30 > 0:20:35- She didn't establish a city or - sacrifice her life for her faith...
0:20:35 > 0:20:39- ..but her story has lasted.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- She lived here over 1,400 years ago.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51- But people still remember her - and come here to pray...
0:20:51 > 0:20:53- ..at her shrine.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18- These are all prayer cards...
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- ..asking for the saint's help.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27- "Thinking of you - today Grandad. Much love."
0:21:27 > 0:21:31- "We pray for everyone - in our family."
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- "Help us to prosper and grow."
0:21:41 > 0:21:44- It's impossible not to sense...
0:21:47 > 0:21:49- ..the pain and anxiety...
0:21:50 > 0:21:54- ..that is expressed - on many of the cards.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58- People ask for the saint's help.
0:21:58 > 0:22:03- But I suppose - one also senses their hope.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06- There's something in that...
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- ..that really touches you.
0:22:28 > 0:22:33- It's difficult to explain exactly - what the appeal of the place is...
0:22:33 > 0:22:37- ..and St Melangell's - relics in the church.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41- Is it the simple - story of Melangell?
0:22:41 > 0:22:47- Or the fact that people still flock - here to pray for help from her?
0:22:47 > 0:22:52- Or is it the appeal - of the place itself?
0:22:53 > 0:22:56- It's probably - a combination of all these...
0:22:56 > 0:23:01- ..that is responsible - for the fact that this place...
0:23:01 > 0:23:03- ..has really touched me.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07- People have described this place - as Britain's holiest place.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13- And I must say, on the whole, - I tend to agree with them.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
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