Pilgrims of Prayer

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Pilgrims of Prayer

Phil McCarthy • July 2, 2024

This article was first published in the August 2024 edition of Bible Alive. It is reproduced with their kind permission. Bible Alive is a Catholic scripture magazine which draws its strength, inspiration and direction from the liturgical cycle. For more information click on the link below.

BIBLE ALIVE

O my God, fill my soul with holy joy, courage, and strength to serve You.

Enkindle Your love in me and then walk with me along the next stretch of road before me.

I do not see very far ahead,

but when I have arrived where the horizon now closes down,

a new prospect will open before me, and I shall meet it with peace.

Edith Stein, St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Martyr of Auschwitz

2025 will be a Jubilee year, with the motto ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ and 2024 is a year of prayer in preparation for this. In the Christian tradition, and in many other religions, undertaking a pilgrimage is one way of deepening a personal relationship with God. Pope Francis wrote in his letter declaring the Jubilee:

In the realization that all of us are pilgrims on this earth, which the Lord has charged us to till and keep (cf. Gen 2:15), may we never fail, in the course of our sojourn, to contemplate the beauty of creation and care for our common home.[i]

We live in a time of global warming, so a walking pilgrimage in England & Wales using public transport to the start and finish of the route gives us an opportunity us to contemplate the beauty of creation while caring for our common home. I hope to encourage people, especially the young, in every diocese to undertake a walking pilgrimage during the Holy Year, helping us to become ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ for the 21^st Century.

A pilgrimage is a dedicated journey to a specific holy shrine with the purpose of engaging with one’s faith, to seek enlightenment and spiritual renewal. One of the distinctions between a Christian pilgrimage and any long walk is that a pilgrimage requires us to be open to interior change through prayer. St Ignatius commends us to begin our prayer by asking for the grace we desire. That grace could be repentance, sorrow for sin, gratitude for God’s gifts, desire for truth and justice, and so on. We identify what grace we desire, and we ask God for it. It may help to have a prayer to say for your intention:

Lord Jesus Christ,

You call me to follow you,

and I choose to walk with you.

Open the eyes of my heart to see my life in a new way.

With each step I take, help me to be open to change.

As I walk this pilgrimage, give me the grace to…

[mention your intention for the journey]

I ask this in your Holy Name.

Amen.[ii]

It’s good to have an intention in mind, but St Paul asks us to go further:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.[iii]

Many of us find prayer difficult, so how can we 'pray without ceasing' as St Paul encourages us to do? Perhaps a start is to adopt a persistent attitude of gratitude for the world, for our lives, for each other, and for each day. Seeing everything as gift opens our hearts to God, who is the giver of everything, and to desire a relationship with Him.

Pilgrimage is an ancient way that people of many faiths have used in their search for God. Undertaking an outer journey can help us focus on our inner journey, on questions of meaning and purpose. Walking pilgrimage is a sacred activity and a way of encountering God in nature. We can experience feelings of awe at the beauty of creation and unity with the universe, which may lead us to prayer and to being open to God’s presence. Walking necessitates the acceptance of the problems of the road: there is no point railing against the rain, steep hills or aching knees. This recognition of one’s smallness and transience can promote humility.

A pilgrim may appear to observers as independent and autonomous, striding towards his or her destination. In contrast, the inner experience may be one of vulnerability to the elements, and of dependence on the goodwill of strangers. Pilgrimage involves ‘stepping out’ of one’s daily life, work and family responsibilities to become a marginal, transient person, often the recipient of hospitality, but sometimes of scorn and suspicion. Pilgrimage may be a mixed experience of companionship and sometimes of solitude. There will be times of silence, and occasions of encounter with others. These varied experiences make us aware of the transcendent in our lives, and of our need for our loving God.

How should we respond to these promptings? Walking pilgrims carry only what is essential for the journey, but prayer intentions are weightless and the opportunities for prayer are many. If prayer doesn’t come easily, there are many resources to be found in churches along the route, or on the internet. A good way to start a pilgrimage is to pray the Stations of the Cross, either in a church, (the cathedral you may be starting from is ideal), or by using a book or online resource. It is a powerful way to contemplate and enter the mystery of Jesus' gift of himself to us. You may be prompted to ask, ‘What crosses do you carry? What causes you to stumble on your way through life? How will your pilgrimage change you?’

On the walk it may be helpful to take a break at midday and say the Angelus prayer. The Angelus offers a short pause in our day-to-day activity to appreciate everything around us and to immerse ourselves in the intimacy of our Lady and the Blessed Trinity. Saying the Rosary can provide a rhythm to help on long hills; one decade finger rosaries are very portable! No one wants to walk carrying a heavy breviary, but Morning and Evening prayer are accessible through the Universalis app. It is wonderful if you can join Mass on the Way, but if that isn’t possible then the readings of the day are also available at Universalis.

The Hearts in Search of God website offers a range of resource to support your spiritual journey. On the introductory webpage there are links to a new resource from the Jesuit Institute called Pilgrims of Prayer covering a wide variety of approaches to prayer and spiritual exercises including:

The Morning Offering: a way of dedicating the day to God
The Act of the Presence of God: becoming aware of the presence of God
The Four Anchor Points of Prayer: preparation, entry, closure and review
Lectio Divina: meditative prayer on scripture
Imaginative Contemplation: imaginative prayer with scripture
The Examen: reviewing the day
Praying with Art: noticing the feelings a piece of art evokes.

There are also collected prayers for use before the pilgrimage, while on the road, on arrival at the shrine and after the journey. There are links to mediations on the Jesuit Pray as You Go app.

One traditional way of marking the end of a pilgrimage is to light three candles: one for your own intentions, and any that others have asked you to pray for; one in gratitude for the people who helped you along on the way; and one in hope for those who will follow you. You may want to give thanks for your safe arrival and any other blessings you have received:

Lord Jesus Christ,

As this pilgrimage comes to an end,

I give thanks for the journey

and for my safe arrival.

Help me to walk in newness of life.

By your Spirit, transform me into your likeness.

Give me your… [mention any attributes of Jesus you want to grow in, such as patience, humility, compassion, etc.]

Jesus, fill me with your life and love.

I ask this in your Holy Name.

Amen.[iv]

Please pray for Pope Francis as he leads the Church, the Pilgrim People of God, and for all who will walk as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ during the 2025 Jubilee.

Buen camino!

Phil McCarthy

[i] Letter of the Holy Father Francis to Msgr. Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelisation, for the Jubilee 2025

[ii] Adapted from Forward in Mission pilgrimage prayers

[iii] 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

[iv] Adapted from Forward in Mission pilgrimage prayers

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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.