Elijah: a pilgrim of hope

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Elijah: a pilgrim of hope

Fr Jerome Oseagwina Ituah, • February 19, 2025

Image: Gmihail at Serbian Wikipedia, via Wikimedia Commons

Fr Jerome Oseagwina Ituah reflects on the Prophet Elijah's faith journey and how it links to the 2025 Jubilee, during which we are called to become 'pilgrims of hope'.

Introduction

In his Bull, Spes Non Confundit, declaring 2025 a jubilee year, Pope Francis emphasises the need for hope, renewal, and participation in spiritual pilgrimage. However, our pilgrimages will be meaningless unless they guide us towards social justice and revive hope by tackling societal issues, advocating for peace, caring for creation, aiding the poor, including migrants, and supporting the vulnerable. The Pope also calls for reconciliation and forgiveness as a central aspect of the pilgrim’s spiritual renewal and a reflection of God’s abundant mercy.

A pilgrim is someone who travels or undertakes a long journey to a sacred or religious place as an act of devotion. Pilgrimages are ancient practices common to many cultures and religions. People journey to specific sites of significant spiritual importance to them. Christian pilgrims visit places such as Jerusalem, Rome, and Lourdes in France, as well as Fatima in Portugal, while Muslim pilgrims go to Mecca for Hajj - one of the five pillars of Islam, required at least once in a lifetime for all Muslims who are financially and physically able to undertake such a pilgrimage. Adherents of Hinduism and Buddhism also make pilgrimages to Varanasi on the Ganges River and Bodh Gaya in India respectively.

Jesus undertook religious pilgrimages to Jerusalem. His parents brought him to Jerusalem for the Passover when he was 12 years old (cf. Luke 2:41-50), and he travelled there for the Feast of Tabernacles (cf. Jn 7:10-14). However, Jesus’ entire life can metaphorically be seen as a pilgrimage, from his birth culminating in his final journey to Jerusalem to fulfil the mission of his passion, death, resurrection, and ascension. Jesus, therefore, offers us another perspective on pilgrimages as a spiritual journey towards our eternal destiny (cf. Phil 3:20; Rev 21:3-4). While we undertake physical pilgrimages on earth, the ultimate goal is to unite us with God, whose presence is felt at those unique pilgrimage sites.

Our earthly journey can be fraught with challenges and disappointments. Each pilgrimage should inspire us to persevere until our final journey back to our heavenly homeland.

The Pilgrimage of Elijah

The narrative of Elijah (1 Kings 17 to 2 Kings 2) reflects a pilgrimage of faith. Introduced as a Tishbite, Elijah declares a drought to Ahab and then embarks on a pilgrimage to the brook Cherith, where God sustains him through ravens and the brook's water (1 Kgs 17:2-7). When the brook dries, Elijah begins another journey to Zarephath, relying on God’s word that a widow will care for him. Despite her dire circumstances, God multiplies the widow’s flour and oil, emphasising Elijah’s trust in divine providence.

Elijah’s journey to Mount Carmel illustrates the spiritual essence of pilgrimages: deepening faith and guiding others to God. By confronting Ahab and the prophets of Baal, Elijah challenges Israel's apostasy and restores faith through a dramatic demonstration of God’s power (1 Kings 18). Pilgrimages foster reconciliation and a renewed relationship with God, as evidenced when Israel confesses, “The Lord, he is God” (1 Kings 18:39).

The pilgrim’s path is not without hardship. After defeating Baal’s prophets, Jezebel threatens Elijah, driving him into despair. Fleeing into the wilderness, Elijah prays for death but finds divine solace through an angel who provides food and water (1 Kgs 19:4-8). Strengthened, Elijah travels to Mount Horeb, where he experiences God, not in fire, earthquake, or wind, but in a gentle whisper (1 Kgs 19:12-13).

After the divine encounter on Mount Horeb, God instructs Elijah to return to his mission and address specific life situations, having been empowered during his pilgrimage. Elijah returns to choose his successor, Elisha (cf. 1 Kgs 19:19-21). He also must confront King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, who had taken the life of Naboth the Jezreelite and seized his vineyard (cf. 1 Kgs 21). Elijah, the pilgrim, fights for and defends the rights of the vulnerable and poor in society.

Elijah’s pilgrimage culminates in his ascent to heaven (2 Kgs 2:1-11), accompanied by Elisha. Pilgrimages provide opportunities for spiritual requests, as Elisha demonstrates by seeking a double portion of Elijah’s spirit (2 Kgs 2:9). Elijah’s ultimate journey symbolises the final pilgrimage of every human being towards union with God. His life highlights faith, obedience, and reliance on divine providence, reminding us that earthly pilgrimages prepare us for our heavenly journey.

The Example of Elijah as a Pilgrim of Hope for Us Today

Pope Francis emphasises two vital goals of pilgrimages during the jubilee year: addressing social issues and renewing our spiritual relationship with God. Elijah's journeys from the brook Cherith to his ascent to heaven provide hope to every Christian pilgrim, whether embarking on a physical pilgrimage to religious sites, navigating the challenges of life’s journey, or seeking to deepen one’s spiritual connection with God. Elijah imparts valuable lessons for us during this jubilee year.

1. Pilgrimage is a leap of faith. Elijah teaches us to rely on God for every pilgrimage and every situation in life. God fed Elijah at the brook Cherith, through the widow of Zarephath, and by an angel. All three episodes were instances when the prophet had no hope of obtaining food or water. Elijah went in faith to where the voice of God directed him, hopeful that God would supply his needs according to His riches in glory (cf. Phil 4:19). As pilgrims, we must lay our cares and worries at the feet of the Lord. When undertaking physical pilgrimages, we should not be overly concerned about what we will eat or how comfortable the accommodation will be. We must trust in God’s providence and support.

2. Reconciliation with God. Every spiritual pilgrimage aims to deepen one’s spiritual life, particularly during moments of doubt regarding our faith. The people of Israel fluctuated between the worship of Baal and the true God. Elijah invited the people to undertake a pilgrimage on Mount Carmel to restore their faith and hope in God. Pilgrimages serve as places and opportunities for reconciling with God and seeking forgiveness. Pope Francis encourages us to stand firm in our faith and rekindle people’s hope in God as we embark on our jubilee year pilgrimage. We can achieve this by motivating people to engage in prayerful pilgrimages during the jubilee year, guiding them to locations where they can renew their faith and become beacons of hope for others upon their return from the pilgrimage. Above all, we can assist individuals in reconciling with God and seeking forgiveness for past failings, much like Elijah sought God’s guidance during his pilgrimage to Mount Horeb.

3. Advocating for the Poor and Vulnerable. Elijah restored hope to those in need during his time by advocating for their struggles and confronting the injustices they faced. He brought comfort to the impoverished widow of Zarephath and her son, who were gathering sticks to prepare their last meal before resigning themselves to death. Elijah’s presence provided them with food and renewed life. Our pilgrimage should compel us to take action, assisting the migrants and vulnerable individuals among us. Additionally, Elijah boldly confronted King Ahab and Queen Jezebel regarding the wrongful execution of Naboth and the appropriation of his land. Pope Francis’ message calls us, like Elijah, to advocate for the impoverished and vulnerable individuals within our communities. In doing so, we offer them hope for a better future.

4. Hope in Despair. Elijah was defeated by Jezebel's message. He ran for his life and was ready to end his mission and life. The great prophet fell into despair and was traumatised. He grappled with his human weakness and frailty. Yet, Elijah teaches us that there is hope in every calamity and adversity. He understood he could not take his life. God responded to Elijah’s despair, giving him succour, courage, and consolation. He fed him and bestowed strength to continue the journey. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. Our disappointments and challenges must not overwhelm us, not even tempt us to take our lives. It is not worth it. We can trust in God. He will undoubtedly come in unexpected ways. There is hope for us in our weaknesses and struggles in life. Our pilgrimage can be a journey of self-discovery or personal growth.

5. Hope for a Double Portion. Elisha’s determination to follow Elijah to the end revealed the gift of the double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Elijah hoped for eternal life and divine fulfilment, illustrating the continuity of hope between our earthly and heavenly lives. Elijah symbolises eschatological hope; at the end of our lives, we will return to God. Jesus' resurrection affirmed the Jewish belief that we do not need to ascend bodily like Elijah. We must pass through the experience of death to attain the hope of eternal life. We have a double portion, sharing in the life of Christ here on earth in anticipation of its fullness in heaven.

Elijah’s life as a pilgrim teaches us to embrace faith, trust in God, and advocate for justice. As pilgrims of hope, we are called to deepen our spiritual journey, inspire others, and address societal challenges. Like Elijah, we must defend our faith, offer hope, and work for a more just world. Every physical or spiritual pilgrimage ultimately leads us closer to God and our heavenly homeland.

Fr Jerome Oseagwina Ituah, is a Discalced Carmelite priest of the Anglo-Irish Province. He is the Sub-Prior of St. Joseph’s Carmelite Priory, Gerrards Cross and Promoter of Vocations and Young Adult Ministry for the Discalced Carmelites in the UK. He holds a Licentiate in Sacred Scriptures from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome and currently doing a Doctorate in Biblical Theology in St. Mary’s University, Twickenham.

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New St Matthew's Way (West)

By Phil McCarthy • March 20, 2025

St Matthew's Way The western Pilgrimage of Hope Way from St David's Cathedral in Cardiff to St Barnabas' Cathedral in Nottingham via St Chad's Cathedral in Birmingham and the Shrine of St Chad in Lichfield. Patron: St Melangell (c 7th or 8th Century) Welsh hermit, consecrated virgin and abbess. According to her hagiography, Melangell was a princess who fled an arranged marriage and became a consecrated virgin in the wilderness of Powys. She saved a hare from a prince's hunting dogs and is associated with protection of wildlife. Her feast is celebrated on 27th May. Overview: The Way starts at St David's Cathedral in Cardiff. The route soon joins the Welsh Coast Path to Newport and then Chepstow. Here the Way turns inland following the Offa's Dyke Path through the Wye Valley to Monmouth. The route follows the Wye Valley Walk to Ross-on-Wye where the Way joins the Herefordshire Trail to Ledbury. The Geopark Way and the Three Choirs Way (3CW) are followed over the Malvern Hills. After Malvern the Way continues on the 3CW until the River Severn is crossed and followed to Worcester. The Monarch's Way is followed to Droitwich Spa and then the John Corbett Way to Bromsgrove. Here the Monarch's Way is regained until just before Illey the Way diverts into central Birmingham along the Illey Way. From the Cathedral of St Chad in Birmingham the Way follows the St Chad's Way , at first along canal towpaths. The Way passes through Sutton Coldfield before joining the Heart of England Way to Lichfield. The route joins the Trent & Mersey Canal towpath to Burton upon Trent and then on to Sawley. Here the Way diverts to Long Eaton and then follows the Way of Blessed Cyprian Tansi along the Broxtowe Country Trail and finally the Beeston Canal towpath to central Nottingham and the Cathedral of St Barnabas. Essential facts: Route length: 215.6 miles Ascent: 11,178 ft Peak elevation: 1,378 ft Average walk day length: 14.5 miles Average walk day duration: 6 hours First walking day: Thursday 28th August 2025 Number of walking days: 14.5 Number of rest days: 1.5 End date: Saturday 13th September 2025 at St Barnabas' Cathedral, Nottingham Pilgrims are invited to join the Solemn Mass for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at 11.15 on Sunday 14th September at St Barnabas' Cathedral. Details of the day pilgrimage stages will be available when day pilgrimage booking opens in April 2025. See the route below.

New St Mark's Way (North)

By Phil McCarthy • March 20, 2025

St Mark's Way The northern Pilgrimage of Hope Way from the Cathedral Church of St Anne in Leeds to St Barnabas' Cathedral in Nottingham via the St Marie's Cathedral in Sheffield and the Chapel of the Padley Martyrs. Patron: St Hilda of Whitby (c. 614 – 680) abbess and key figure in the Anglo-Saxon Church. Hilda founded and was the first abbess of the monastery at Whitby which was the venue for the Synod of Whitby in 664. She was widely recognised for her wisdom and learning and trained five bishops. Her feast is celebrated on 17th November. Overview: The Way starts at Leeds Cathedral and follows the Transpennine Trail (TPT) SE beside the Aire & Calder Navigation to Mickletown. Here the path veers SW to continue on the TPT along a disused railway line and then the River Calder to Wakefield. The Way follows the TPT again beside the former Barnsley Canal and then along a disused railway to Wombwell. The route turns SW along the Barnsley Boundary Walk to Elscar, and then across farmland to briefly join the Old Salt Rd, beside the A629. The Way soon joins the Sheffield Country Walk and follows this beside the Sheffield Canal to reach St Marie's Cathedral in central Sheffield. From here the Way joins the Padley Martyrs Way , leaving the city through Endcliffe Park and then climbing Houndkirk Moor to arrive at the Chapel of the Padley Martyrs. The path then follows the River Derwent to Matlock. The Way leaves the Derwent at Ambergate and turns E, through Ripley and then along the former Cromford Canal to Eastwood. Here the route joins the Robin Hood Way to Strelley where the Way veers E to Kingsbury and finally reaches St Barnabas' Cathedral, central Nottingham. Essential facts: Route length: 107.6 miles Ascent 3,615 ft: The route is mostly flat with the only significant climb on Day 4 over Houndkirk Moor Peak elevation: 1,388 ft Average walk day length: 13.5 miles Average walk duration: 5-6 hours First walking day Sat 6 September 2025 Number of walking days: 8 Number of rest days: 0 Last walking day: Saturday 13 September: arrival at St Barnabas' Cathedral Nottingham for evening prayer and social celebration Sunday 14 September, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: pilgrims are invited to join the 11.15 Solemn Mass at St Barnabas' Cathedral Details of the day pilgrimage stages will be available when day pilgrimage booking opens in April 2025. For a detailed map of the route click the button below.

New St Luke's Way (East)

By Phil McCarthy • March 20, 2025

St Luke's Way The eastern Pilgrimage of Hope Way from the Cathedral Church of St John the Baptist in Norwich to the Cathedral Church of St Barnabas in Nottingham via the National Shrine of Our Lady at Houghton St Giles and the Pontifical Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham at King's Lynn. Patron : Julian of Norwich (c. 1343 – after 1416) English anchoress, mystic and theologian. Julian's writings, now known as Revelations of Divine Love, are the earliest surviving English-language works attributed to a woman. They are also the only surviving works by an anchoress in English. Her feast is celebrated on 13 th May. Overview The Way starts at the Cathedral and leaves the city along a disused railway line. The route follows the Walsingham Way along lanes to Great Ryborough. The path then follows the Way of the Annunciation to Fakenham and onto the National Shrine to Our Lady at Houghton St Giles and then Walsingham. The Way follows lanes to Dersingham and soon joins the Norfolk Coast Path to King's Lynn. The Way continues to Wisbech, Spalding, Bourne and then crosses farmland to join the Danelaw Way. The route continues along paths and tracks to Grantham. From there the route crosses farmland to Bingham and soon after joins the Trent Valley Way to central Nottingham and finally St Barnabas' Cathedral. Essential facts: Route length: 158.7 miles Ascent: 1,886 ft Peak elevation: 443 ft (the route is generally flat) Average walk day length: 15.8 miles Average walk day duration: 6 hours First walking day: Tuesday 2 September 2025 Number of walking days: 10 Number of rest days: 1 End date: Saturday 13th September 2025 at St Barnabas' Cathedral, Nottingham Pilgrims are invited to join the Solemn Mass for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at 11.15 on Sunday 14th September at St Barnabas' Cathedral. Details of the day pilgrimage stages will be available when day pilgrimage booking opens in April 2025. For a detailed map of the route click the button below.

New St John's Way (South)

By Phil McCarthy • March 20, 2025

St John's Way The southern Pilgrimage of Hope Way from Southwark and Westminster Cathedrals in London to St Barnabas' Cathedral in Nottingham via the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate & St Thomas of Canterbury in Northampton. Patron : St Anne Line (c. 1563 – 1601): English married lay woman, convert and martyr. After the death of her husband, who had been banished for attending Mass, Anne was active in sheltering clandestine Catholic priests. Finally arrested, she was condemned to death and executed at Tyburn. She was canonised in 1970. Her feasts are: 27th February (individual), 25th October (with the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales), 30th August (with SS Margaret Ward and Margaret Clitherow). Overview The Way starts at the Cathedral of St George in Southwark and crosses the River Thames to reach Westminster Cathedral. It then passes through Royal parks to the Shrine of the Tyburn Martyrs. At Paddington the Grand Union Canal is reached. Apart from optional diversions to churches the Canal arm is followed to Northolt where the Way joins the Dog Rose Ramble and then the Hillingdon Trail. At Bayhurst Woods the Way diverts W to Harefield and soon rejoins the Grand Union Canal. Apart from diversions to Rickmansworth, Abbots Langley (birthplace of Adrian IV, the only English pope), and Leighton Buzzard the Canal is followed to Newport Pagnall. After the town the route follows the Three Shires Way, then the Midshires Way, the Northamptonshire Round and finally the Nene Way to Northampton Cathedral. The path leaves the city and rejoins the Midshires Way to Arthingworth and soon after follows the Brampton Valley Way to Market Harborough. The Way continues N on the Rutland Way and then the Leicestershire Round. Where this bends W the path follows the Jubilee Way to Melton Mowbray. The Way crosses farmland to reach Willoughby-in-the-Wolds where it breifly re-joins the Midshires Way before diverting to Keyworth. The Way heads towards Nottingham, briefly following a disused railway line, to finally reach Nottingham Cathedral. Essential facts: Route length: 173.3 miles Ascent: 4,931 ft - the route is mostly very flat Peak elevation: 656 ft Average walk day length: 14.9 miles Average walk day duration: 6 hours Number of walking days: 11.5 Number of rest days: 1.5 Start date: Monday 1st September at St George's Cathedral, Southwark, London End date: Saturday 13th September 2025 at St Barnabas' Cathedral, Nottingham Pilgrims are invited to join the Solemn Mass for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross at 11.15 on Sunday 14th September at St Barnabas' Cathedral. Details of the day pilgrimage stages will be available when day pilgrimage booking opens in April 2025. For a detailed map of the route click the button below.