Welcome to the Autumn 2024 Hearts in Search of God Project newsletter. The project has reached an important milestone as I have now walked, written up and published Pilgrim Ways in all the Catholic dioceses of England & Wales.

There are also Pilgrim Ways for the Ukrainian and Syro-Malabar eparchies, the Bishopric of the Armed Forces and the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. Details of the inner and outer journeys, walking guidance, maps and GPX files can be downloaded for them all for free here. I am always grateful for feedback about the routes so please let me know if you walk one.

My last walk was the St Philomena’s Way in the Diocese of Shrewsbury. I was delighted to be joined by Theresa Alessandro, presenter of the All Kinds of Catholic podcast. Our conversation can be found here. I am also grateful to Catherine Mangham for walking much of the route and greatly improving it and for her company for two days of the walk.

Shrines

As part of the project I have become interested in shrines. Anyone can set up a shrine in their own home: simply a place for prayer, perhaps with an image or a candle. In Catholic countries wayside shrines are common. The Church recognises a shrine officially if people make pilgrimages to it and it is approved by the local bishop. There are four types:

• Diocesan shrines, approved by the bishop of the diocese.
• National shrines, approved by the Bishops' Conference of the Province, in this case England & Wales.
• International shrines, such as Lourdes, approved by the Holy See. There are no international shrines in England & Wales.
• Pontifical shrines, established personally by the pope of the time. We have one in Kings Lynn in the Diocese of East Anglia.

I have identified 49 shrines in England & Wales, some ancient, some modern, some cared for by the Church and some by other organisations. I would like a full half century, so if anyone knows of the 50^th I would be very grateful! More details of the shrines here.

Resources

There are new resources for group pilgrimage including:

• The Pilgrim Cross experience of group walking pilgrimage, by Alison Gelder
• Developing a Good Pilgrimage Route, by Andrew Kelly
• The Challenges of Building Fundraising into a Pilgrimage, by Dominic DeBoo

Going deeper

Articles on the ‘Going Deeper’ webpages provide context and expert background to pilgrimage. The latest is by:

• Canon Chris Thomas, General secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales on the hope that does not disappoint, and what it means to be a ‘pilgrim of hope’ during the Jubilee.

I am grateful to Fr Chris and the others who have contributed their time and expertise which really adds to the resources on the website.

News, Stories & Events

Thanks to all those who have contributed stories over the last few months. Topics include:

• From Worcester to Peterborough on a pilgrimage neither guided nor self-guided by John Chenery
• A Pilgrimage Walk along the St Cuthbert’s Way by Andrew Sowerby
• Taizé - A Pilgrimage of Trust on Earth by Eddie Gilmore
• A Parish Pilgrimage to Bishop Eton by John Elcock
• CrossWalk Pilgrims by Julie & Garth Butcher
• 'My strength tells me No, but the path demands Yes' by Frans A. Vossenberg

Feedback on the Ways

I would be grateful for any feedback you have about the proposed Ways, and especially any route updates and changes. After your pilgrimage remember to download your certificate of completion.

If you have a story or a pilgrim resource or event to share, please contact me through the website. Please feel free to share his newsletter with people who may be interested. I hope you enjoy the website, designed by the wonderful people at Everyday Christian Marketing.

Wishing you every blessing and joy of this ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’, and buen camino!

Phil McCarthy, Project Lead