A Pilgrimage for Peace Through Justice
On Tuesday, 5th September, Faith Justice, who are members of the Passionist community, along with other faith denominations, embarked on a six-day Peace Pilgrimage from Oxford to the Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEi) arms fair in London.
The pilgrims relied on the generosity of others to feed and house them during their pilgrimage. Upon reaching the arms fair, they participated in a candlelit vigil with other peace protesters to protest against the DSEi arms fair and promote peace.
Oxford, with its rich spiritual past reaching back to the Middle Ages, was an appropriate starting point to begin the pilgrimage. From Oxford, the pilgrims were treated to a picturesque walk through the idyllic English countryside. The journey took them through serene fields, quaint villages, ancient woodlands, and alongside the river Thames. The route, which is a mix of ancient pathways and modern footpaths, offered them stunning landscapes and made for a rewarding start to the pilgrimage.
Every day from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. during the pilgrimage, they walked silently, on a journey of self-discovery, reflection and quiet contemplation. The act of walking, combined with the intentional nature of a pilgrimage, provided the perfect setting for personal contemplation, which concluded with them praying Mother Teresa's Peace Prayer.
As the pilgrims walked from High Wycombe. The journey took them through suburban areas before transitioning into a more rural terrain of, tree-lined country roads, footpaths, and bridleways that wind through the rolling Chiltern Hills. The walking was tiring due to the hot weather, with a mixture of inclines and uneven ground. Regular breaks were welcomed with lots of water to quench their thirst, it was here where they learned the power of perseverance, self-care and mindfulness.
After a long walk, they stopped at the Royal Standard of England pub for refreshments. The pub was established in 1213 and is now considered a historic landmark and a symbol of British heritage. Set amidst charming landscapes, the pub whispered tales of the past and provided our weary travellers with a much-needed break.
After lunch, they proceeded on their journey, which included a stop at Jordan's Quaker Meeting House, accessed by a small winding road and sitting among ancient woodland in Beaconsfield. The Meeting House was constructed in just three months during the autumn of 1688, one of the earliest Quaker Meeting House built after James II issued his Declaration of Indulgence in 1687. This declaration allowed Quakers and other non-conformist groups to worship legally for the first time. The Meeting House holds great historical significance as it is the final resting place of the Quaker William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania.
During their time at the Meeting House, they had the opportunity for physical and spiritual refreshment. They were invited to sit in meditative silence in the original meeting hall, with its oak beams and centuries-old tiled floor. The plain wooden seats they occupied were the same ones that had been used by many others before them, each with their own story to tell.
On Thursday evening, the pilgrims' journey concluded for the day at the Catholic Worker Farm, which was birthed from the Catholic Worker movement. The property spans two acres of land in idyllic countryside, with a large grassed garden to the rear, which on a hot day is soothed by the cool lapping waters of the large lake that adjoins it. The hospitality shown to our pilgrims was, attentive, generous and welcoming, with the peace and charm of the farm enshrouding.
The Catholic Worker Farm has provided shelter for vulnerable women and children since it opened in August 2006. Over 600 women have been accommodated. The women have faced difficult circumstances, including torture, rape and the loss of loved ones. More often than not, these women and their children's experiences, either directly or indirectly, are a result of war. It is here that they are offered free accommodation, food, English classes, counselling, and other vital services. The Catholic Worker Farm relies on generous donations from others to operate, more can be found on their website.
As the pilgrimage progressed on their journey, a transformation unfolded. The horizon gradually traded its wild contours for the rigid, orderly lines of urban architecture. The earth beneath them gave way to the unyielding embrace of tarmac pavements, busy with people going about their business, and the pilgrims weaving between them. The scent of damp earth and vegetation was replaced by a mix of city aromas: exhaust, fast food, and the indefinable energy of London life.
As the pilgrims passed through London, they stopped at the headquarters of several arms companies based in the city of London to offer prayers of peace.
On Monday evening, the pilgrimage concluded outside the gates of the DSEI arms fair. About 170 peacemakers of various faiths and denominations attended the vigil.
The peaceful demonstration of unity was evident as the peacemakers held candles and embraced the silence. In this setting, words were not necessary for the peacemakers to convey their intentions. Instead, their presence and collective energy spoke volumes. It was a time of reflection and connection with their God. Through this simple act of sitting in silence, there was hope.
Satish Kumar, an Indian-British activist, speaker, author, and pilgrim, completed a peace pilgrimage of over 8,000 miles. In the inaugural Peace Pilgrimage Podcast, he reminded us that with a world population of over 7 billion people, there are also 7 billion unique paths to becoming catalysts for positive change. For our pilgrims, it was walking the Peace Pilgrimage. What is it for you?
Throughout the peace pilgrimage, regular podcasts were made with prominent guest speakers who spoke on various subjects, including pilgrimage, global warming, the environment, arms trade and the inspiring story about the Catholic Worker Farm. These podcasts can be found through the following link. The Peace Pilgrimage was sponsored by the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace.
David Richardson, Peace through Justice Worker for the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace.
