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 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 can register to join for stages.


Stretches which are suitable for wheelchairs and buggies have been identified. There are 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 watching the brief video 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.


NB. REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON THURSDAY 21ST AUGUST 2025

REGISTER NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!

REGISTER HERE

Join the Welcome Liturgy, celebration Ceilidh and Irish music evening and concluding Mass


Whether you walk or not, come to the Cathedral on 13 September and enjoy a fitting celebration of the Jubilee Year. Meet pilgrims who arrive throughout the afternoon from 3.00 p.m. The Cathedral will be hosting Heritage Open Days with tours, a mini-pilgrimage of the building, and CAFOD’s Jubilee Icon on display.


At 5.00 p.m. join Bishop Patrick in a thanksgiving liturgy to welcome all pilgrims and give thanks for the safe arrival of those who have travelled far. The liturgy will be livestreamed here.


In the evening, you are warmly invited to a celebration in the Cathedral Hall. Mancunian Irish folk trio ‘Ride On’ provide the music, with a traditional ceilidh called by Leicester parishioner David Mottram. Doors open at 7.00 p.m., and the event closes at 9.30 p.m. Tickets, including a ploughman’s supper, are £10 and available from the Cathedral Office: please let us know any dietary requirements.


Book early to avoid disappointment! Please email the Cathedral office and pay £10 per ticket by cash, or online to sort code 30-96-18 and account number 01647189.


Join the concluding Solemn Mass


Having spent two weeks walking from different corners England and Wales, the four groups of pilgrims will have completed their ‘Sign of the Cross’ over the country.

The Pilgrimage will culminate at 11.15 a.m. on Sunday 14 September with Solemn Mass in the Cathedral for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

Refreshments are available afterwards in the Cathedral Hall.

All are welcome. The Mass will be livestreamed 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.