Dear Friend

Welcome to the Spring 2025 Hearts in Search of God Project newsletter.

Pope Francis: an authentic pilgrim of hope

Pilgrims of every continent, culture and religious tradition will have been saddened to hear of the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday 2025. He has been an inspiration for so many of us and the title of this project comes from his words. An appreciation of this wonderful pilgrim pope can be found here: https://www.pilgrimways.org.uk/pope-francis-an-authentic-pilgrim-of-hope

The 2025 National Walking Pilgrimage of Hope

The theme of the 2025 Jubilee is ‘pilgrims of hope’ and this has inspired 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 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 4-6 'perpetual pilgrims' will walk the full distance of each Way, and up to 20 day pilgrims will be able to join for stages. Stretches which are suitable for wheelchairs and buggies will be identified. There will be opportunities for non-walkers to provide enroute support, hospitality and prayer. There are 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 can participate. 

We still have space for one more perpetual pilgrim on the western St Matthew's Way, so if you are interested you can find more information at: https://www.pilgrimways.org.uk/national-pilgrims-of-hope-walking-pilgrimage

Registration for day pilgrims will open in late May or early June and a notification email will be sent then.

  Resources

There are resources on the website for pilgrimage including a new one on:

• Walking pilgrimage, care for creation and the common good.

News and stories

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

• Holy Places: How pilgrimage changed the world Pilgrimage is a journey that goes beyond mere travel; it's a profound quest for spiritual growth, self-discovery, and connection. A new book by Kathryn Hurlock explores this theme.
• Psychology of Pilgrimage Pilgrimages are growing around the world, weaving a tapestry of transformation, introspection, and adventure. But what fuels this timeless human practice? Psychology of Pilgrimage, a new podcast hosted by Dr Heather Warfield, invites you to embark on an extraordinary journey that explores pilgrimages in all forms.
• Called to Prayer on the Lycian Way Having done the Camino to Santiago de Compostela a few months ago, Eddie Gilmore walked the Lycian Way along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey with his wife. Eddie reflects on what the difference might be between an ancient pilgrimage route and a long-distance hike.
• Why attend the annual LMS Walsingham pilgrimage Thomas Colsy explains why the annual Latin Mass Society Walsingham walking pilgrimage is such an important experience for him.
• In the Footsteps of St Paul While walking the Lycian Way Eddie Gilmore and his wife Yim Soon found they were walking in the footsteps of St Paul.
• Holy Family Leicester Jubilee Lent Cross Pilgrimage Christina Mottram describes an annual cross-carrying walk of witness in Leicester.
• A Pilgrimage from Norwich to Walsingham Sharon Sewell shares her story of a walk from Norwich Anglican Cathedral to Walsingham along the Walsingham Way.
• Buried Treasure Was St Patrick born in Somerset? James Bruce undertook a St Patrick's Day pilgrimage to Banwell to find out!
• A Pilgrimage along the Whiting Way: Anne Bailey shares a video of her pilgrimage along the Whiting Way, the Hearts in Search of God pilgrim way for the Diocese of Clifton.

Events

• John Bradburne Memorial Society Annual Pilgrimage The Annual John Bradburne Memorial Society Annual Pilgrimage in Cumbria will take place on 6th September 2025.
• Walk the beautiful St Cuthbert’s Way to Holy Island with Stella Maris Join Tim Hill MBE, CEO of Stella Maris, and Deacon Joe O’Donnell, Senior Area Port Chaplain, on a 5-night, 6-day pilgrimage marking the Jubilee Year of Hope.
• CrossWalk Pilgrimages Lent 2025 The CrossWalk initiative mission is to walk in faith together, praying for peace and acting for peace. Walks were held in March and April 2025.
• The St Wulstan Southern Way is a walking pilgrimage tracing St. Wulstan’s life and legacy, from Worcester Cathedral, where he served as bishop, to Clifton Cathedral in Bristol, where he often travelled. This seven-day pilgrimage, held from May 22 to May 28, 2025, is part of the Catholic Church’s Year of Jubilee celebrations, themed Pilgrims of Hope. It invites participants to explore their faith while journeying through stunning landscapes and historic locations.
• Help the Catholic Children's Society (Plymouth) to support families of all faiths and none through our grant giving, practical parenting skills and help in times of loss. This year's event is being held at St Cuthbert Mayne in Launceston on Thursday, 29 May 2025. I was delighted to be invited to speak to the meeting about pilgrimage and look forward to the event.  

Feedback on 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 as we start the Jubilee year, during which we can become ‘pilgrims of hope’.

Buen camino!

Phil McCarthy, Project Lead