The Pas-de-Calais at summer time. From Liettres to Amettes, full of surprises on stage 3 of the Via Francigena, in the footsteps of the priest Sigéric
A castle near the alley of the cricket, a bell tower hidden behind a wheat field, an arrival in Amiettes at the birthplace of the curious St-Benoît Labre… What better way to delight our hikers – pilgrims of the Via Francigena who Link Canterbury to Rome.
Third stage of our journey on the paths of Pas-de-Calais, in the footsteps of the Abbot of Canterbury Sigéric who, in 990, ordained bishop, went to Rome on foot to seek his pallium (his insignia).
After a first stage on the coast between Sangatte and Escalles, a second between Cormette and Wisques, here is the third which rests Liettres in Amettes. A surprising getaway where the little story rubs shoulders with the big one.
First, a castle in Liettres, where the oldest written traces of the game of cricket have been located. That day, during a cricket tournament, a man had been killed, hence these writings from the 15th century. Later, becoming cricket, the game will be the sport that the United Kingdom will develop throughout the Commonwealth.
We are “alley of the cricket”, near the castle of Liettres. And the first surprise is this plunge into history.
Then this bell tower, lost in the middle of the fields, it can suggest, for a time that it is thus posed on the hill. Our pilgrim walkers recount their journey towards Rome, still more than 1,000 km away.
Arrival in Amettes and passing through the birthplace of Saint-Benoît Labre, a curious man, born in 1748. He was called Saint-Pouilleux because he never washed. “Taking care of his body, his carcass as he said, it was not important for him. The important thing for him was to pray to God and to go to the poor. He had nothing but he was going to them. If one day he had three francs six sous, he gave them away. He didn’t need them for himself.” Explain Jean Capelain, president of the Saint-Benoît Labre association.
Meetings, friendly anecdotes, that’s what Didier Morel likes, from the Compostelle Via Francigena Arrras association, which has just given a helping hand for a small festive event in honor of Saint-Benoît Labre. The latter, like Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul, is buried in Rome, the terminus of the pilgrimage, 2,000 km from Amettes!