Archbishop encourages ‘new generation’ of pilgrims in Jubilee Year of Hope

Archbishop of Southwark John Wilson said he hoped a brand-new nationwide pilgrimage would herald the rediscovery of “our ancient Catholic tradition of walking pilgrimage”.

Southwark pilgrims joined the National Jubilee Walking Pilgrimage of Hope while Archbishop Wilson encouraged “a new generation of pilgrims to explore our own holy sites that complement those of Lourdes, Rome and Jerusalem”.

Wilson said: “A pilgrimage is more than simply a walk between sacred places, it’s an opportunity for fellowship, prayer and an encounter with the Lord Jesus through our Blessed Lady and the saints.” Wilson added: “It is a spiritual journey not just a physical one.”

He issued a statement as 28 pilgrims attended a 7.30am Mass in St George’s Cathedral, Southwark at the start of their leg of the pilgrimage on Monday. After a blessing with a relic of St George, they rallied in Amigo Hall adjoining the Cathedral for a buffet breakfast, where Cafod staff served tea and coffee.

The walk began with prayer and pilgrims were given a reflection for the day’s walk from Cafod, including Bible verses.

“We will be a sign of God in action. Jesus will be with us all the way,” explained Alison Gelder, organiser of the southern route of the National Pilgrimage, dedicated to St John.

Each of the four separate pilgrimage routes or “ways”  from the North, South, East and West is dedicated to a separate Gospel writer. St Luke’s Way, began on 4 September from St John’s Cathedral, Norwich. St Matthew’s Way, the longest route, began on 28 August from St David’s Cathedral, Cardiff, while the shortest route, St Mark’s Way begins 6 September, from St Anne’s Cathedral, Leeds.

“Together, we will trace the sign of the Cross across the United Kingdom,” said Gelder, before pilgrims began the first part of Monday’s 9-mile walk.

This involved a first leg from St George’s to Westminster Cathedral, followed by a second stretch from the Cathedral to Tyburn Convent in central London. It ended on Monday afternoon at the Shrine of Our Lady in Willesden, north London. Pilgrims closed the day venerating a relic of St Josemaría Escriva.

Gelder and her husband Ian were among the eight “perpetual” pilgrims planning to walk the full 169.4 mile route from London to Nottingham, where the closing Mass, open to all, will be celebrated at 11.15am on Sunday, 14 September.

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