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A shrine dedicated the Virgin Mary’s rescue of a drowning boy will be the destination of a pilgrimage taken by the residents of former mining village Penrhiwceiber as they begin celebrations of local church’s anniversary.Pilgrimage has for many years been a huge part of the life of Penrhiwcieber’s Parish Church of St Winifred with annual pilgrimages made to the Shrine of Our Lady in Penrhys, Glastonbury and Walsingham.The anniversary route from the St Winifred’s to the Shrine of Mary’s rescue runs along the bank of the Cynon River in Abercynon.It is said that in 1929 when a three-year-old boy from the village fell into the river and began to drown he was rescued by the figure of Mary Mother of Jesus, an image of whom he was wearing around his neck. Rocks along the bank near the miracle were carved into by miners to create a shrine which has became a place of pilgrimage for over 10,000 pilgrims a year.This year St Winifred’s Church in Penrhiwceiber celebrates its 140th Anniversary as a Christian place of prayer and spiritual nourishment at the heart of the former miners’ village.On Sunday 11th June 2023, members of the community will be walking from St Winifred’s to Abercynon where there will be prayers for the stations of the cross. They will also pray the rosary and enjoy a picnic together.Along with the pilgrimage, the congregation will be celebrating the anniversary with a range of events during the second week of June including a celebration Sung Mass with guest preacher, concert with a local choir, displays of records and historic photos, children’s activities, school involvement and an evening of hymn singing.Penrhiwceiber’s Walsingham Cell meets monthly in St Winifred’s to pray in the rosary together. Fr Stuart Ghezzi, vicar of in Penrhiwceiber, said, “Combining a pilgrimage with other events seemed to be a fantastic way to bring a number of things that have been important to the faith journey of so many people here over the years together.“It will be a wonderful way to begin our anniversary celebrations as a faith community as we celebrate the journey of the last 140 years here and plan and pray for the future.”St Winifred’s Church Anniversary Events:Sunday 11th June2.30pm - Walking pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady in AbercynonThursday 15th June10am Mass. Church open all day - pop in and have a look at our displays and historic records with a cup of teaFriday 16th June10am Mass. Church open all day - pop in and have a look at our displays and historic records with a cup of tea7pm - Celebration Sung Mass with Guest Preacher, Fr. Dominic Cawdell, Vicar of HolywellSaturday 17th June10am Mass10.30am Children’s Activities with refreshmentsChurch open all day - pop in and have a look at our displays and historic records with a cup of tea7pm - Concert with the Phoenix Singers and Guests (Tickets £5)Sunday 18th June11am - Sung Mass with Sunday School5pm - Pimms and Hymns