PILGRIMAGE
Definitions: Oxford Concise Dictionary
Pilgrimage
- a pilgrim’s journey
- life viewed as a journey
- any journey taken for nostalgia or sentimental reasons
Pilgrim
- a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons
- a person regarded as journeying through life
- a traveller
Resources
BBC Sounds Sunday Worship (Religion and Ethics)
Four Programmes – Holy Coasts
Nendrum Monastic Site County Down 30.08.26 until Tuesday 08.48
Journeying towards Bangor 13.09.26 until 28.09.26
Northumberland Pilgrimage 20.09.26 until 12.10.26
? Not yet broadcast.
Internet – York University History of Pilgrimage various pages.
Focus on Christian Pilgrimage
Northumberland Pilgrimage-Recorded on a walk from Craster to Alnmouth along St Oswald’s Way.
Presented by Chris Humble
Contributors- Gareth and Bronnie Davies-Jones-Musicians
Maggi McCallister-Poet and storyteller
Brother Finnian-from Alnmouth Priory
Consider: What, When, Where, Who, Why and How?
Is pilgrimage relevant to the Christian faith today?
How can pilgrimage be part of my Christian life and growth?
Excerpts from Northumberland Pilgrimage
Gareth had previously walked St Oswald’s Way from Holy Island to Durham on a musical pilgrimage, giving concerts at communities where he stayed.
We all need to walk to feel good, to refresh body and soul, gain peace of mind.
God speaks to us through his Word, through creation and through people we meet and what they teach us.
“(our life is) fragile as a sparrow, flying in one hall window and out the other side.” Bede.
Brother Finnian is a member of a group of Anglican Franciscan Brothers who have lived at Alnmouth Priory since 1961. St Francis died in 1226. The brothers decided to make 2026 a Year of Pilgrimage. They walked from Alnmouth to London, singing the peace of Christ, staying in churches, halls and houses, meeting people along the way. They walked 10 to 18 miles a day during the heat of this summer.
Brother Finnian commented on the Bible passage Matthew 4:17-25.
Jesus’ command to Peter was, “Follow me.” Peter didn’t know the whole plan or route. He took the first step, the next step etc. He got things wrong but Jesus didn’t give up on him.
Being a pilgrim is being willing to keep walking. To trust Jesus is with us and will lead us. Not to arrive where all is perfect but to see ordinary places differently. Not towards a place but to keep moving onwards.
A prayer from Maggi,
God of pilgrims, thank you for the paths we have travelled,
for the people who have walked beside us.
And for the places that have opened our eyes.
When we are settled, make us willing to move.
When we are lost, give us courage to continue.
When we are tired, give us strength.
When we are lonely, give us companions.
And wherever our journeys take us,
help us to recognise your presence in the people we meet,
in the world you have made and in the unexpected places we find ourselves.