The National Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope


A walking pilgrimage for England & Wales for the 2025 Jubilee with four main Ways converging at the Cathedral of St Barnabas in Nottingham

“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.”


 Pope Francis

Spes Non Confundit, Bull of Indiction of the 2025 Jubilee: paragraph 5 

The National Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope


Compassion, Faith, Prayer & Community

The Pilgrimage of Hope is 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 at 11.15 am on 14th September 2025 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 (see map below) 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 register to join for stages. Stretches which are suitable for wheelchairs and buggies have been 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 are able to participate. 

The main ways are named after the Evangelists, Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John


You can find out more about the four main Ways by clicking on the LEARN MORE tab in the

interactive map below

Join the Pilgrimage for a day!

Day pilgrims are warmly invited to join the small group of 'perpetual pilgrims' who will walk the entire length of each of the four main routes.

Day pilgrims are welcome to  join the Pilgrimage of Hope for one or more days by registering in advance.

You will be very welcome.

REGISTER HERE

Join the Pilgrimage for a day!

Day pilgrims are warmly invited to join the small group of 'perpetual pilgrims' who will walk the entire length of each of the four main routes.

Day pilgrims are welcome to  join the Pilgrimage of Hope for one or more days by registering in advance.

You will be very welcome.

REGISTER HERE

Feeder routes

Possible feeder routes to the Main Ways from the other Catholic cathedrals of England & Wales can be found by clicking the buttons below.


The  Hearts in Search of God project will NOT be organising pilgrimages along these routes and they will NOT be trailblazed in advance.



Individuals or groups are welcome to use them independently and to adapt them as they feel best.

Join the Pilgrimage without walking!

If you would like to be part of the Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope but can't join the walk you can do so by:


  • Praying for the success of the Pilgrimage and for the wellbeing and safety of pilgrims. Pilgrim prayer resources can be found here.
  • Joining the final celebration liturgy in person or online at 11.15 on 14th September 2025 at Nottingham Cathedral on their livestream channel here.
  • Providing hospitality: If your parish is near one of the routes could you provide hospitality for walkers such as tea and coffee in the parish hall? If you might be able to help please contact the Project Lead here.
  • Helping others by giving to mark the Pilgrimage to one of our associated charities. Their details can be found here.