News

Plough Blessing...

On Sunday 9 January 2022, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds, will mark Plough Sunday with the blessing of a tractor and plough. The observance of Plough Sunday on the First Sunday of Epiphany goes back to Victorian times, but there is a much older observance, associated with the first working day after the twelve days of Christmas, hence ‘Plough Monday’ in some places.

Choral Evensong takes place in the Cathedral at 3.30 pm, which will include prayers led by the Agricultural Chaplain, Graham Miles. Following the service clergy and congregation will make their way out to the Norman Tower where the plough will be located. This year, the plough is very kindly being provided by the Euston Estate. Everyone is welcome to join the service and blessing.

‘The tradition of the blessing of the plough is an ancient one, and so relevant today especially in Suffolk with our long agricultural heritage. In blessing the plough, we pray for God's blessing on our lands and on the many people whose lives are connected with the bounty of the earth and all it produces for our daily living.’ said Canon Philip Banks, Precentor at the Cathedral.