The Winter Hearts in Search of God Newsletter

Phil McCarthy • February 19, 2025

Dear Friend

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

The 2025 Jubilee

In the Catholic Church, Jubilees or Holy Years are special years of grace, forgiveness and reconciliation. The first was declared by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300. The 2025 Jubilee marks the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. It has especial significance in England & Wales as it also commemorates 175 years since the restoration of the Catholic hierarchy after the penal centuries that followed the English Reformation. The Jubilee has the theme 'pilgrims of hope' and the logo shows people coming from the four corners of the earth in solidarity. 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 Indiction of the 2025 Jubilee, p5)

The Pilgrimage of Hope

One way to ‘experience the Jubilee to the full’ is by joining the Pilgrimage of Hope, 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 Pilgrimage will culminate with Solemn Mass for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on 14th September at St Barnabas' Cathedral. The Pilgrimage will embody the values of the Sisters of the Holy Cross of compassion, faith, prayer and community.

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 'perpetual pilgrims' will walk the full distance of each Way, and 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 also 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.

If you could help with trailblazing the routes over the next 6 weeks, or would like to consider becoming a perpetual pilgrim, you can find more details here. Registration for day pilgrims will open in April.

Diocesan Pilgrim Ways during the 2025 Jubilee

If the Pilgrimage of Hope is not for you, then you can become a ‘pilgrim of hope’ by walking one of the Pilgrim Ways in England & Wales. There is one for every Catholic diocese, 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 for all the Ways can be downloaded for free here.

All the Ways start at the cathedral of the diocese and end at a shrine in the same diocese. Many of the cathedrals and shrines will be Jubilee sacred sites, ‘sacred places of welcome and privileged spaces for the rebirth of hope’ (Spes non confundit, 24). Details of the Jubilee churches and shrines near you can be found on your diocese’s website.

Resources

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

Walking pilgrimage, care for creation and the common good.

Going deeper

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

Fleur Dorrell, the Biblical Apostolate Manager at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England & Wales, and the national co-ordinator of the ‘God who Speaks’ project. She explores the nature of travel and some key journeys in the Bible to help us navigate our own lives.
Arran M Kearney describes his pilgrimage along the St Philomena Way in the Diocese of Shrewsbury, and explains why it was important to his faith journey. He shares the poetry he wrote enroute and reflects on how Christianity underpins the culture of England.

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

News, Stories & Events

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

Another Day in Paradise - the magic of the Camino: pilgrim and writer Eddie Gilmore reflects on his recent journey with his wife along the Camino to Finisterre.
Help wanted to develop the Camino Inglés in England: Keith Taylor describes the development of the Camino Inglés from Finchale Priory to join the St James Way at Reading.
Walking to Walsingham: Between March 2023 and May 2024, Karen Lawrence walked the 180 miles from London to the National Shrine of Our Lady in Walsingham. She has recently published a wonderful book to share her story and to encourage other pilgrims.
In Praise of the Useless Life: Eddie Gilmore explains how a pilgrimage along a forbidden track to Thomas Merton's hermitage helped him to understand monastic life.
Peace Pilgrimage: Richard Smart reflects on walking for peace for the Awareness Foundation.
CAFOD webinar: it was a wonderful to be asked to contribute to CAFOD’s webinar introducing the Jubilee year.
Hexham & Newcastle webinar: I was delighted to take part in this webinar organised by the Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle on pilgrimage in the Jubilee.

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

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Sacred Travels in Ireland

By Eddie Gilmore • September 10, 2026

A recent trip to the West of Ireland gave Eddie Gilmore the chance to ponder about the difference between a pilgrimage and a long walk.

Pilgrims Walk the Gospel Through North Norfolk

By Charlie Bohan-Hurst • September 7, 2026

An annual pilgrimage through North Norfolk has brought Scripture, prayer and Christian unity together.

A Pilgrimage in the Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle

By Terence Cavanagh • August 31, 2026

In August 2026 Terence Cavanagh undertook a solo pilgrimage in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle from the Lady's Well at Holystone in the Cheviots to St Mary's Cathedral in Newcastle. This is the story of his pilgrimage. Details Weather: sunny OS explorer maps OL16, OL42, 316 Four and a half days / 55 miles Accommodation Rothbury - Newcastle House B&B budget accommodation Kirkwelpington - guest house evening meal + breakfast Ponteland- The Diamond Inn apartments B&B Jesmond - Jesmond Dene Hotel evening meal + breakfast Day One: Holystone to Rothbury - 9.5 miles Lady's Well was more than l could have hoped for, a wonderful tranquil place, where our ancestors would have been baptised. Highlights: the proximity and view of the river Cocquet. Local shops and restaurants. Day Two: Rothbury to Kirkwelpington -16 miles Highlights: the silence of Simonside Fell carpeted in purple heather. Wildlife: fox, deer, hares, mountain bumble bee, herd of belted black and white cattle. Day Three: Kirkwelpington to Ponteland - 16.5 miles Highlights: a hidden byway on the outskirts of Kirkwelpington. Wildlife: swallows preparing for their migration Cafe and toilet at Kirkhale The Institute at Capheaton is open at weekends 10am to 4pm for teas and snacks Local shops and restaurants Day Four: Ponteland to Jesmond - 10 miles Morning service at St Matthew's Catholic Church A detour along the Tyne and Wear heritage trail and then use the Metro tram south of the Airport for 7 stops into Jesmond. Highlights: relaxing afternoon at the hotel and a sauna at the nearby leisure facility. Day Five: Jesmond to St Mary's Cathedral - 3.5 miles Morning walk through Jesmond Dene, visiting the remains of St Mary's shrine, then into the city for midday mass at the Cathedral. Returning to North Wales from Newcastle central railway station. Terence Cavanagh "Father , Son and Holy Spirit. Help us to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly through our lives with you. Amen" Find out more about the Holystone Way below

The 2027 John Bradburne Pilgrimage announced

By The JBMS • August 24, 2026

Following the success of this year's new route, the John Bradburne Memorial Society have announced that the Pilgrimage will return to the spectacular High Cup Nick in 2027. Join us on Saturday 12 June 2027 for a memorable day of prayer, fellowship and adventure in the beautiful Cumbrian countryside. The day will begin at 10.00am with Mass celebrated at St John the Evangelist Church, Skirwith. John Bradburne's father was once the vicar of this church, and John himself was baptised there. Everyone is warmly welcome to attend Mass, even if they are not joining the walk. We will then travel to Dufton, where the walk will begin at approximately 11.20am. The route is around 13km (8 miles), with approximately 408 metres of ascent, and is expected to take about five hours, including a lunch stop. Although there is a well defined path throughout, this is a demanding hill walk and a good level of fitness is essential. Participants must bring proper walking boots, suitable outdoor clothing, food and plenty of water. Afterwards, we will return to Skirwith Village Hall for refreshments and to celebrate the day together. Whether you are a seasoned walker, a supporter of John's Cause or simply looking for a day of prayer, friendship and adventure, we would love you to join us. 📍 Saturday 12 June 2027 ⛪ 10.00am Mass at St John the Evangelist Church, Skirwith 🥾 Walk from Dufton at approximately 11.20am ☕ Refreshments afterwards at Skirwith Village Hall To book your place and make a donation in support of Mutemwa Leprosy Care Centre, please visit www.johnbradburne.com or email info@johnbradburne.com . NB Please note that this walk is not suitable for those with limited mobility. Participants should be fit and confident walking over fell terrain for several hours. We look forward to welcoming you! John Bradburne Memorial Society

On New Roads

By Eddie Gilmore • August 20, 2026

To mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi the Society of St Francis, organised a 700-mile ‘Peace Pilgrimage’ through England.

A Franciscan Mini Pilgrimage at the WeBelieve Festival

By Phil McCarthy • August 19, 2026

I was delighted that Theresa Alessandro included the WeBelieve Franciscan Mini Pilgrimage in her All Kinds of Catholic podcast. In July 2026 I led a short Franciscan walking pilgrimage through the grounds of Oscott College, Birmingham. It was a contribution to the second WeBelieve Festival of Catholic life which attracted 2,700 people of all ages. The festival was a wonderful opportunity to discover the traditions and charisms that flow through the Church, to grow in community, and to encounter the transforming love of God. The festival aims to deliever a feast of the True, the Good and the Beautiful.‍ It was a wonderful that Juliana, a Secular Franciscan could join the pilgrimage and lead the prayers. She is a layperson who has committed to following the Franciscan Theresa Alessandro recorded the pilgrimage for her podcast. It can be found at about 16.45 minutues in. More about the WeBelieve festival can be found here . More about the All Kinds of Catholic podcast can be found here . More about the Secular Franciscans can be found here . Phil McCarthy, Hearts in Search of God project lead