Dear friend
Welcome to the Advent 2023 Hearts in Search of God Project newsletter. I was enchanted by the bus shelter Nativity scene above, near the Northampton Pilgrim Way when I walked it last year!
The first year of this three-year project to promote walking pilgrimage in England & Wales is complete. I am grateful to the Sisters of the Holy Cross for their continued support for the Project over the coming year, and to CAFOD for their collaboration. 2024 will be a year of preparation for the Holy Year of 2025 with its motto 'Pilgrims of Hope'. I am planning an onsite and online conference to encourage people to undertake walking pilgrimage to mark the Holy Year. More news soon!
Pilgrim Ways
There are now GPX files available for routes in all the dioceses of England & Wales and full walking directions in the dioceses of Arundel & Brighton, Birmingham, Brentwood, Cardiff, Clifton, Hallam, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Northampton, Southwark and Westminster. The Cornish Celtic Catholic Way has been contributed by Frans Vossenberg and family from the USA. The Pilgrim Way for the Diocese of East Anglia will be the next to be published.
Resources
These include resources for group pilgrimage, pilgrim passports and certificates of completion. There is a new webpage for people who would like to add to the significance of their pilgrimage by raising money to help others.
Going deeper
Articles on the 'Going Deeper' webpages provide context and expert background to pilgrimage. Over the last few months the following contributions have been published:
I am grateful for these experts for the gift of their time and expertise which really adds to the resources on the website.
News, Stories & Events
I am grateful to all those who have contributed stories over the last few months. Topics include:
I have also written on pilgrimage during the 2025 Jubilee, with its motto 'Pilgrims of Hope', on the life of Blessed Cyprian Tansi and on shrines as places of consolation.
Feedback on the Ways
I would be grateful for any feedback you have about the proposed Ways, and to hear of your experience of walking them. Don't forget to download your pilgrim passport before you set off and your certificate of completion when you come home.
If you have a story or a pilgrim resource to share, please contact me through the website.
Please share this newsletter with people who may be interested. I hope you enjoy the website, designed by the wonderful team at Everyday Christian Marketing.
Wishing you every Advent blessing and a merry Christmas when it arrives.
Phil McCarthy, Project Lead
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