Re-establishing walking pilgrimages as a vital part of our Christian heritage
Phil McCarthy • August 15, 2025
I was pleased to meet up with James Abbot of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England & Wales News Service to discuss the National Jubilee Walking Pilgrimage of Hope.
You can listen to a 14-minute podcast in which we discuss the four main routes of the national pilgrimage and my desire to place the ancient, pre-Reformation tradition of walking pilgrimages at the heart of our Catholic consciousness and practise.
Phil McCarthy
Photo © mazurcbcew
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Our group of pilgrims walked the St Cuthbert Mayne Way from Plymouth Cathedral to our Shrine Church of St Cuthbert Mayne over three days in separate weeks.
Roy Peachey walked the Augustine Camino for Mary's Meals, and found it an enchanting, if physically demanding experience!
In this special episode of the All Kinds of Catholic podcast Theresa Alessandro returns to Padley Chapel on the St Mark's Way of the Pilgrimage of Hope.
Eoin Sharkey reflects on the graces he received on a cycling Pilgrimage of Hope.
Pilgrim and gourmand Eddie Gilmore had been worried about the food on Mount Athos but found himself giving thanks for a 'feast of a meal'.
Pilgrims joined Fr Gerry Walsh tracing St Wulstan’s life and legacy, from Worcester Cathedral to Clifton Cathedral as part of the Catholic Church’s Year of Jubilee, “Pilgrims of Hope” celebrations. Participants explored their faith while journeying through stunning landscapes and historic locations.
An encounter with a pilgrim on another journey leads to a reflection on creation.
On the final day of the Pilgrimage of Hope Bishop Patrick McKinney walked with pilgrims and reflected on his experience and on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
This reflection on the St Matthew's Way was given by Catherine Manghan, a perpetual pilgrim, at the Cathedral of St Barnabas on 13th September 2025.
