Welcome to the Summer 2024 Hearts in Search of God project newsletter!

The project has reached an important moment as we prepare for the 2025 Jubilee Year with it’s motto ‘pilgrims of hope’. Pope Francis has written:

Pilgrimage is of course a fundamental element of every Jubilee event. Setting out on a journey is traditionally associated with our human quest for meaning in life. A pilgrimage on foot is a great aid for rediscovering the value of silence, effort and simplicity of life. In the coming year, pilgrims of hope will surely travel the ancient and more modern routes in order to experience the Jubilee to the full.
(Spes non confundit, Bull of Indicition of the 2025 Jubilee) 

I hope the Hearts in Search of God  project will encourage many to walk as pilgrims of hope in 2025. 

Why we walk

I was delighted to be asked to take part in the discussion of pilgrimage on BBC Radio 4’s Beyond Belief programme, alongside members of the Sikh and Hare Krishna faiths. The edition was broadcast on 7th July and can be found on BBC Sounds: Read more

Walking as Pilgrims of Hope Conference 

On 20th May 2024 I chaired a conference to encourage and equip people, especially the young, to undertake group walking pilgrimage to mark the Holy Year. There was input from experts in walking pilgrimages and from dioceses and Catholic organisations. Read more

Hope does not disappoint 

I was delighted to take part in Clifton's Diocesan day to speak about walking as 'pilgrims of hope' during the 2025 Jubilee. I especially recommend Canon Chris Thomas’ talk on Christian hope. Videos of all the presentations can be found through this link: Read more

Pilgrim Ways
There are now GPX files available for routes in all the dioceses of England & Wales, and full walking directions in all dioceses except Plymouth, Portsmouth, Shrewsbury and Hexham & Newcastle. I plan that all dioceses will be complete by the end of September 2024. 

Resources
These include resources for group pilgrimage, pilgrim passports and certificates of completion. There is a 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. The latest is by: 

•  TJ Guile, Chairman of the English Catholic History Association, and asks which is more important: the journey or the destination, or is it both combined?

I am grateful to Tim 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: 

•  Rowan Morton-Gledhill on walking as Pilgrims of Hope in Father Brown’s Footsteps. 

I have also written for Bible Alive on prayer and pilgrimage. 

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, especially of any changes to the route. Don’t forget 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 summer, and buen camino! 

Phil McCarthy, Project Lead