Welcome to the Autumn 2026 Hearts in Search of God project newsletter.

Let Us Walk

The Let Us Walk pilgrimage from Maidstone to Southwark has been successfully completed!

The pilgrimage reflected the Year of St Francis of Assisi and embodied his values of joy, simplicity, humility, peace and love of creation. A small group of perpetual pilgrims walked the full distance, joined by day pilgrims. About 50 pilgrims walked one or more days. We received wonderful hospitality in the parishes along the way and shared two musical evenings in pubs. Some of the pilgrims joined the Adoremus Celebration and procession through central London on Saturday 10th October. 

More information about the Let Us Walk pilgrimage can be found here. I’m grateful to Eddie Gilmore and Dyan Harnett for their insightful reflections and to Theresa Alessandro for accompanying us for a day and recording an episode of her All Kinds of Catholic podcast. More about Adoremus can be found here, including Archbishop John Wilson’s homily and Pope Leo’s message.

The Year of St Francis of Assisi

At the Spring Gathering we shared ideas for pilgrimages for peace in this 800th anniversary year of the death of St Francis. All the ideas as well as a map and database of churches dedicated to St Francis and Franciscan communities can be found here.

In the Diocese of Clifton, we organised two pilgrim walks to the Church of St Francis of Assisi in Nailsea on Saturday 3^rd October, the anniversary of his death and eve of his feast day. Reflections on the two legs of the walk can be found here. Why not organise an autumnal Franciscan pilgrimage in your own diocese or parish?

Events

At the Spring Gathering a proposal was made for a shared walking pilgrimage calendar on www.pilgrimways.org.uk so that people can find events more easily and we can avoid clashes. This can now be found here. If you are organising a group walking pilgrimage in England & Wales or a related event and would like it to be included, please contact me.

Resources

I am grateful to Frans A. Vossenberg for his new theological resource exploring the biblical roots of pilgrimage in the story of Abraham and his covenant with God.

The Resource pages on the website have been refreshed.

• The Practical Resources page provides examples of good practice to make planning and undertaking a walking pilgrimage less onerous, for lone walkers and for groups.
• The Prayer Resources page includes ideas for prayers and practices for before, during, and after the pilgrimage.
• The Spiritual Resources page provides sustenance for your spiritual journey.
• The Theological Resources page helps you to understand your journey theologically.
• The Academic Resources page includes studies to enrich your pilgrimage.
• The Cathedrals page includes details of the Catholic cathedrals of England & Wales and a map of their locations.
• The Shrines page provides a database of the Catholic shrines by diocese, details of surviving Pre-Reformation shrines in Anglican churches or cathedrals, and a map of their locations.

Inspiration  

Thanks to all those who have contributed news and stories over the last few months.

• Peace Won and Found with Pilgrim Cross – Richard Finn OP reflects that peace can be 'won' and 'found' on way to Walsingham.
• On New Roads – Eddie Gilmore joined a 700 miles Peace Pilgrimage to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi.
• A Pilgrimage in the Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle – Terence Cavanagh relates his solo pilgrimage from the Lady's Well at Holystone to St Mary's Cathedral in Newcastle.
• Pilgrims Walk the Gospel Through North Norfolk - Charlie Bohan-Hurst tells of an annual pilgrimage through Norfolk which brought Scripture, prayer and Christian unity together.
• Sacred Travels in Ireland - Eddie Gilmore ponders the difference between a pilgrimage and just another long walk. 
• The Way of Francis - Eddie Gilmore reflects on what we might learn from St Francis of Assisi today, almost exactly 800 years after his death.
• Catholic People’s Weeks Pilgrimage along the Augustine Camino - Alison Gelder relates a walking holiday which included faith, food for thought, fun, and friendship.
• Let Us Walk (and Sing!) - Eddie Gilmore finds much music and merriment after a 19-mile trek on the Let Us Walk pilgrimage.
• Let Us Walk (and Give Thanks!) - New to faith, Dyan Harnett felt drawn to the Let Us Walk pilgrimage. This is her story.
• The Clifton Franciscan Walking Pilgrimage - Mary Cutts and Henry Kenyon share their memories of the Clifton Franciscan walking pilgrimage.

New audio

• A Franciscan Mini Pilgrimage at the WeBelieve Festival - Theresa Alessandro included the WeBelieve Franciscan Mini Pilgrimage in her All Kinds of Catholic podcast.
• Let Us Walk (that We May Adore!) - Theresa Alessandro joined day four of the Let Us Walk pilgrimage, between Dartford and Erith.

The Diocesan Ways

I would be grateful for any feedback you have about the 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’.

Buen camino!

Phil McCarthy, Project Lead