Walking the Way of Our Lady of Guadalupe

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Walking the Way of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Therese & Patrick Cawley • September 8, 2023

As we made our way slowly past the spread of commercial units on the outskirts of the town of Olney the familiar refrain of the hymn Amazing Grace began to take shape in our heads. We had chosen the hymn at our wedding many years ago in the industrial heartlands of South Yorkshire never thinking that at some time in the future we would be visiting Olney, the place where it was written two hundred and fifty years ago. Yet here we were, on pilgrimage sitting in the vibrant square, beneath the town sign with its depiction of the lace making heritage of the town and the church of Amazing Grace, about to enjoy a generous portion of fish and chips.

Pilgrimage is no longer fashionable in the UK although there is a rich heritage. We were currently making our way from the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate and St. Thomas of Canterbury, Northampton to the shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Parish of the Holy Child and St. Joseph Bedford. The day had started early with a lift to the edge of Northampton and a bus ride into the town, then a short walk to the cathedral. At the Cathedral the priest was leading the daily office before mass. While exploring the church after mass the priest enquired about our interest and became very enthusiastic on hearing of our intended pilgrimage. He took time to explain the meaning of the triptych behind the altar. The theme of flowing water was resonant as we would be following the river Nene for some time and then finish by following the river Great Ouse into Bedford. A brief visit to the welcoming Café 1850 in the Cathedral grounds for restorative drinks gave fresh impetus to our endeavour. The route took us through busy streets past the Anglican church of the Holy Sepulchre. Unfortunately the gate was locked so we could only peer through the gate. The next stop was Beckett’s well. It is reputed that the fugitive Thomas Beckett stopped here for refreshment although we can’t be certain. Behind the bars of the stone shelter are depictions of the saint’s story.

The route then takes us alongside the river Nene. The canoeists at the Nene white water centre were clearly enjoying the fine weather. Earth embankments in the Northampton washlands evidence the possibility of flooding and the need for flood mitigation. The flood storage reservoir was noisy with a good number of waterfowl. After the locks the route leaves the river and wends through suburban Little Billing to the shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour at Great Billing. Not sure if we would be able to access the shrine it was a relief to see a few of the parishioners gathered for the Rosary. They were very welcoming to two pilgrims.

Unfortunately time was pressing so we regretfully declined their invitation to join them. Crossing the river again we made our way uphill to the village of Cogenhoe. The Cogenhoe and Whiston Heritage Society have been very active in recognising and celebrating local residents with a number of blue plaques in evidence. Over a style we ascended the Jerusalem Steps and made our way around fields of ripening cereal crops. It was after one such field that we came upon Emmaus village, this village is a charitable organisation offering active support to those who have experienced homelessness.

The way then passes across the main approach to Castle Ashby House. The view back along the road to Castle Ashby house was spectacular. In St. Andrew’s church Yardley Hastings we were pleased to discover a stained glass window showing St. James as a pilgrim complete with scallop shells. Soon after that we encountered a sociable group who turned out to be model aircraft enthusiasts, using a flat piece of grassland to pursue their hobby. In Olney, supper finished, our lift back home arrived.

The following morning we returned to Olney and made our way to the church of Our Lady Help of Christians and St Lawrence for Mass. At the end of a prayerful service the Priest gave a pilgrim blessing. Several parishioners asked about our walk including a Sister who told how as novices at Turvey they were made to walk to Olney for mass but not back. How wise of the Mother Superior to support the physical as well as spiritual needs of the nuns.

In Olney the route took us to the church of St. Peter and Paul. It was here that the hymn Amazing Grace was first heard on 1^st January 1773, although we can’t be certain that it was to the now familiar tune. The path then lead over fields and across the river Great Ouse to Turvey Abbey. We meandered through open fields and villages heading towards Stevington windmill. Going through the village a car pulled alongside and the lady driving asked how we were getting on. She had been in the congregation in Olney and was concerned as to whether we might make the last bus back from Bedford to Olney. Reassurance was given that we were on time to make the bus, although it would be a bit close. Continuing across fields we could see in the distance a figure introspectively gazing at the ground. Then moving a little and repeating the process. As we got closer we could see that there was definitely some reason for his actions. He explained that he was trying to photograph butterflies. His particular target was the Hedge Brown, Gatekeeper butterfly. We wished him every success and continued on our way.

At the church of St. James, Biddenham we replenished our water bottles from the outside tap. On the outskirts of Bedford, cycle ways led through newly built housing and beside the river Great Ouse towards Bedford town centre. We finally left the river to walk through the busy streets. Not without having a moment to look at the Sikh temple which dominates the local view. The sat nav guided us unerringly to the church which houses the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Having placed our petitions at the shrine we made the short trip to the bus station and our return to Olney.

Attendance at Mass, visiting the shrines, the beauty of our countryside, the steady rhythm of walking allowed time for reflection, time to be at peace in God’s company, which is so often missing from our busy lives. Through their buildings and legacy of hymns past generations can tell us what Faith meant to them. John Newton underwent a pilgrimage of his own as he slowly moved from being an active participant in the slave trade to being an abolitionist.

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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.