The Winter Hearts in Search of God Newsletter

Phil McCarthy • February 19, 2025

Dear Friend

Welcome to the Winter 2025 Hearts in Search of God Project newsletter.

The 2025 Jubilee

In the Catholic Church, Jubilees or Holy Years are special years of grace, forgiveness and reconciliation. The first was declared by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300. The 2025 Jubilee marks the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. It has especial significance in England & Wales as it also commemorates 175 years since the restoration of the Catholic hierarchy after the penal centuries that followed the English Reformation. The Jubilee has the theme 'pilgrims of hope' and the logo shows people coming from the four corners of the earth in solidarity. Pope Francis has written:

“Pilgrimage is of course a fundamental element of every Jubilee event. Setting out on a journey is traditionally associated with our human quest for meaning in life. A pilgrimage on foot is a great aid for rediscovering the value of silence, effort and simplicity of life. In the coming year, pilgrims of hope will surely travel the ancient and more modern routes in order to experience the Jubilee to the full.” (Spes Non Confundit, Bull of Indiction of the 2025 Jubilee, p5)

The Pilgrimage of Hope

One way to ‘experience the Jubilee to the full’ is by joining the Pilgrimage of Hope, a national walking pilgrimage with four main Ways converging at the Cathedral of St Barnabas, Nottingham, on Saturday 13th September 2025, for shared prayer and celebration. The Pilgrimage will culminate with Solemn Mass for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on 14th September at St Barnabas' Cathedral. The Pilgrimage will embody the values of the Sisters of the Holy Cross of compassion, faith, prayer and community.

The four main Ways start at the Catholic cathedrals in Cardiff, Leeds, Norwich and London, and will bless our nations with a Sign of the Cross and with the Gospels. The routes use established hiking routes and are off road as much as possible. A small group of 'perpetual pilgrims' will walk the full distance of each Way, and day pilgrims will be able to join for stages. Stretches which are suitable for wheelchairs and buggies will be identified. There will be opportunities for non-walkers to provide enroute support, hospitality and prayer. There are also possible feeder routes to the four main Ways from all the other Catholic cathedrals of England & Wales for keen long-distance walkers, so people from every diocese can participate.

If you could help with trailblazing the routes over the next 6 weeks, or would like to consider becoming a perpetual pilgrim, you can find more details here. Registration for day pilgrims will open in April.

Diocesan Pilgrim Ways during the 2025 Jubilee

If the Pilgrimage of Hope is not for you, then you can become a ‘pilgrim of hope’ by walking one of the Pilgrim Ways in England & Wales. There is one for every Catholic diocese, the Ukrainian and Syro-Malabar eparchies, the Bishopric of the Armed Forces and the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Details of the inner and outer journeys, walking guidance, maps and GPX files for all the Ways can be downloaded for free here.

All the Ways start at the cathedral of the diocese and end at a shrine in the same diocese. Many of the cathedrals and shrines will be Jubilee sacred sites, ‘sacred places of welcome and privileged spaces for the rebirth of hope’ (Spes non confundit, 24). Details of the Jubilee churches and shrines near you can be found on your diocese’s website.

Resources

There are resources on the website for pilgrimage including a new one on:

Walking pilgrimage, care for creation and the common good.

Going deeper

Articles on the ‘Going Deeper’ webpages provide context and expert background to pilgrimage. The latest is by:

Fleur Dorrell, the Biblical Apostolate Manager at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales, and the national co-ordinator of the ‘God who Speaks’ project. She explores the nature of travel and some key journeys in the Bible to help us navigate our own lives.
Arran M Kearney describes his pilgrimage along the St Philomena Way in the Diocese of Shrewsbury, and explains why it was important to his faith journey. He shares the poetry he wrote enroute and reflects on how Christianity underpins the culture of England.

I am grateful to Fleur and Arran, and the others who have contributed their time and expertise which really adds to the resources on the website.

News, Stories & Events

Thanks as well to all those who have contributed stories over the last few months. Topics include

Another Day in Paradise - the magic of the Camino: pilgrim and writer Eddie Gilmore reflects on his recent journey with his wife along the Camino to Finisterre.
Help wanted to develop the Camino Inglés in England: Keith Taylor describes the development of the Camino Inglés from Finchale Priory to join the St James Way at Reading.
Walking to Walsingham: Between March 2023 and May 2024, Karen Lawrence walked the 180 miles from London to the National Shrine of Our Lady in Walsingham. She has recently published a wonderful book to share her story and to encourage other pilgrims.
In Praise of the Useless Life: Eddie Gilmore explains how a pilgrimage along a forbidden track to Thomas Merton's hermitage helped him to understand monastic life.
Peace Pilgrimage: Richard Smart reflects on walking for peace for the Awareness Foundation.
CAFOD webinar: it was a wonderful to be asked to contribute to CAFOD’s webinar introducing the Jubilee year.
Hexham & Newcastle webinar: I was delighted to take part in this webinar organised by the Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle on pilgrimage in the Jubilee.

Feedback on the Diocesan Ways

I would be grateful for any feedback you have about the Ways, and especially any route updates and changes. After your pilgrimage remember to download your certificate of completion.

If you have a story or a pilgrim resource or event to share, please contact me through the website.

Please feel free to share his newsletter with people who may be interested. I hope you enjoy the website, designed by the wonderful people at Everyday Christian Marketing.

Wishing you every blessing and joy as we start the Jubilee year, during which we can become ‘pilgrims of hope’.

Buen camino!

Phil McCarthy, Project Lead

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Individual Walking Pilgrimage: the Basics

By Phil McCarthy • November 29, 2025

The key to any safe and successful walking pilgrimage is thorough preparation. This resource is a useful prompt.

Individual Walking Pilgrimage: Enriching the Inner Journey

By Phil McCarthy • November 29, 2025

A pilgrimage is a journey undertaken by individuals or groups for religious or spiritual reasons, often to a sacred place or shrine of particular significance. It is an expression of faith and devotion that involves physical travel as well as inner exploration and transformation. Pilgrimages have been integral to many religious traditions throughout history, including Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. In the Catholic faith, a group pilgrimage is seen as a special journey of prayer and devotion. It is an opportunity for believers to deepen their relationship with God, seek spiritual renewal, and encounter the divine in tangible ways. Pilgrimages are not only about visiting holy sites but are also about the inward journey, seeking grace, forgiveness, healing, or enlightenment. Planning the inner journey Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 Planning a personal pilgrimage is a sacred process. It can be a transformative and enriching spiritual experience. Walking alone provides the opportunity for solitude, encounter with strangers and closeness to nature. Individual walking pilgrimage can give insights into the communities passed through. . The destination When choosing a destination for your pilgrimage, consider the following factors: Popular pilgrimage sites: Explore well-known pilgrimage sites, such as shrines dedicated to saints, historic churches, or locations associated with miracles or apparitions. Accessibility: Ensure the pilgrimage site is accessible to you given your age and physical abilities. Accommodation: If you need overnight accommodation, try to find options which align with the aims of the pilgrimage and are affordable. These may include retreat centres, religious houses or hospitable parishes. The British Pilgrimage Trust’s Sanctuary Network provides affordable options such as churches, church halls, village halls or sports pavilions. Cultural relevance: The Catholic community in England & Wales is incredibly diverse in terms of ethnicity and culture. Consider the cultural context of the pilgrimage destination and its significance. Setting dates and itinerary Creating a well-planned itinerary is essential. Dates: Select dates that coincide with religious feast days, significant anniversaries, or local events that enhance the spiritual significance of the pilgrimage. Don’t forget the weather! Itinerary: Develop an itinerary that incorporates a variety of activities catering to spiritual, educational, and recreational needs. Include daily Mass if possible, opportunities for prayer and reflection, guided tours of sacred sites, and times of silence and openess to encounter with others. Prayer and reflection: Plan specific prayer stops, devotions, and meditations that align with the pilgrimage theme or focus. Include encounters with local religious communities. Before the way I rejoiced when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” Psalm 122:1 Preparing yourself spiritually is essential for a good pilgrimage experience. Prayer and reflection resources can be found here . Personal spiritual preparation: Prior to the pilgrimage research the route and plan to make the experience as deeply as possible. Try to find daily Scripture readings, novenas, or devotional exercises related to the pilgrimage theme. Indentify a personal intention for the journey : This might be to pray for healing, to give thanks for some event, to commemorate a loved one or to raise money for a cause close to your heart. Talk to others about your plans: Try to find books about the way you have chosen or speak to others who have walked it. Find resources that address the themes of the pilgrimage, such as faith renewal, healing, or devotion to specific saints. Share your spiritual intentions: This may include your talking about your c oncerns and hopes for the pilgrimage with family, friends, and your home community. On the road Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86:11 Incorporating liturgies, personal prayer and rituals enhances the spiritual depth of the pilgrimage. Resources can be found here . Masses and Sacraments: Where possible, try to find Masses at significant pilgrimage sites, allowing yourself to participate in the liturgy and be nourished by the Eucharist. Receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) can foster spiritual healing and renewal. Devotions: Plan to include devotions that symbolise the journey of faith such as praying the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, or other traditional Catholic prayers relevant to the pilgrimage theme. Rituals: Integrate symbolic rituals like lighting candles at sacred shrines, making offerings of prayer intentions, or reciting specific prayers associated with the pilgrimage's spiritual objectives. Silence: It is good to include a period of intentionally silent walking, giving yourself the opportunity to reflect on your own intentions for the pilgrimage. Research guidance on contemplative practices that encourage inner reflection. Fellowship: You may encounter others on the way. Try to be open to these as opportunities for sharing your pilgrimage with others. It may be possible to join communal meals, shared experiences, and social gatherings entoute. At the destination And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Luke 13:29-30 It is important to plan how you will mark your arrival at the shrine or other destination, or there may be a sense of anti-climax. Resources can be found here . Consider: Welcome : by the Shrine Director, clergy, staff or parishioners. Shared prayer : it is important to mark the end of the pilgrimage with a prayer which is relevant to the site and theme. Tour of the destination and an explanation of its religious and cultural significance. Devotions: for example, lighting three candles, one for the pilgrim’s personal intentions and for any that others have asked him or her to pray for, one in gratitude for the people who helped along on the Way, and one in hope for those who will follow. Masses and Sacraments: Where possible, arrange a final Mass and the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession). If this is not possible then the Evening Prayer of the Church for the day may be a good way to end the pilgrimage. Fellowship over tea and coffee is always welcome and a group photo with others at the destination! After the way Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 Continuing the pilgrimage experience beyond the journey itself is important for sustaining spiritual growth. Resources can be found here . Personal reflection : Try to reflect on the experience and to continue the journey. Reflect and Learn: Consider offering to speak to your community to share the experience and its impact on your faith journey. Plan Future Pilgrimages: Use insights from the pilgrimage experience to plan future pilgrimages that address the your evolving spiritual needs. Collaborate with other pilgrims, and clergy to identify new destinations, themes, and spiritual objectives for upcoming journeys. Phil McCarthy NB I am grateful to Molly Conrad and Elliot Vanstone for their contributions to the development of this resource.