'Found on these grounds'

The journey of St. Alban : Soldier to Saint

The theme of this year’s Brightlights festival is ‘Found on these grounds – the life and journey of St Alban’. St Alban was England’s first martyr and saint and as such he has a very important place in our history. You need only observe how many times his name pops up everywhere. He even has a town named after him. St Alban was a Roman centurion during the occupation of England nearly 2000 years ago. One day he sheltered a fugitive priest and got to know him, eventually being converted and baptised by him. When the local magistrate sent soldiers to search his house Alban dressed himself in the priest’s cloak and was arrested in his place. When the magistrate realised the deception, he ordered the same punishment for Alban that the priest would have had, death by decapitation. Thus he gave his life for his religion and became St Alban. His famous words “I worship and adore the true and living God of all things” resonate down through history and are still used in prayer at St Alban’s cathedral. ‘Found on these grounds’ is a reference to Chantry island where St Alban was arrested, which is also the site of the Brightlights festival. This year we invite you to literally walk the ground that St Alban did, to tread in the place where all those years ago he was converted and ultimately gave up his life for his faith. Here, he was arrested by people he knew, to protect one he had only just met, because his life had been changed by his conversion and new belief in the “God of all things.” Dare to be present this year in this significant place, both geographically and spiritually, and challenge your faith to be found again on these grounds.  Be renewed and invigorated by the example of a man who gave up everything for the promise of God.

The vision

Brightlights was born out a vision for a weekend Festival of young people, aged 16 - 30, set in the beautiful grounds of All Saints Pastoral Centre at London Colney; a place where you can discover something more about yourselves, others and God in a safe and relaxed environment; a place where you can experience something of the depth and diversity of the Catholic Church and share your own faith and experiences with others of the own age-group and outlook.

The first Brightlights Festival was in 1995. A marquee sprung up in the field outside the SPEC building, there was lights, sound, bands, an impressive line-up of speakers, workshops, prayer, Reconciliation, Mass, barbeque, sports and fun. And the people came. A host of small tents mushroomed around the central marquee area. Bedrooms in the Pastoral Centre and dormitories in SPEC were filled. The first Brightlights was a success and the evaluation forms spoke enthusiastically about the opportunity for change and growth that this weekend had opened up in many young lives.

A sense of Brightlights community began to develop and 'Brightlighters' would meet up at events in Central London, and elsewhere, during the year, at SPEC for retreats and conferences and, more recently, for the sparkling bonfire night "Explosion" evening. Groups from Brightlights have travelled to World Youth Days with the Pope. Then, of course, there would be the great reunion at Brightlights the following year.

The festival has grown and developed over the years. Many familiar faces still return, many new faces join us each year. But the unique Brightlights atmosphere remains unchanged. Each year's festival is "the best ever!" even when it rains!