Walking as Pilgrims of Hope (online participation)
This is to invite you to participate in a conference to promote walking pilgrimage in England & Wales as an important part of the 2025 Jubilee. A small onsite conference of walking pilgrimage experts and diocesan representatives will be held in London. You are very welcome to join the conference online.
The event is organised by the Hearts in Search of God pilgrim ways project with the support of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Department of Evangelisation & Discipleship. It will cover:
• Explanation of why walking pilgrimage should be an integral part of the Jubilee
• Inspiration for people (especially the young) to walk as Pilgrims of Hope
• Tools to equip dioceses and other Catholic organisations to confidently plan and undertake walking pilgrimages, with a focus on youth engagement.
Programme
12.00 Introduction
12.10 Why walk as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ in the Jubilee? Phil McCarthy, Hearts in Search of God project lead
12.30 Walking pilgrimage as personal transformation and formation in faith: Juliana Kazemi, American pilgrim on the Cornish Celtic Catholic Way
13.00 Lunch break
13.45 Panel 1: Developing a walking pilgrimage
How to plan a route: Andrew Kelly, creator of the Augustine Camino and Shrine Director
How to risk assess a route for health & safety: Rowan Morton-Gledhill, Director of Communications for the Diocese of Leeds and coordinator of the St Wilfrid’s Way Camino
How to organise group pilgrimages: John Chenery, Arundel & Brighton Ecumenical Walking Pilgrimage coordinator
Alison Gelder, Pilgrim Cross representative
How to organise a school pilgrimage: Stuart Keene, Assistant Headteacher & pilgrimage organiser, St Edward’s School, Poole
15.00 Tea break
15.30 Panel 2: Promoting a pilgrimage
How to engage young people in pilgrimage: Beth Przybylska, Strategic Project Director of Catholic Youth Ministries Federation
How to offer pilgrim accommodation as sanctuaries: Dawn Champion, Head of Community Operations, British Pilgrimage Trust
Learning from CAFOD’s pilgrimage experience: Dom DeBoo, Community Fundraising Executive CAFOD
16.45 Summary of the day, next steps: Phil McCarthy
16.55 Concluding prayer: Sr Margaret Donovan, Holy Cross Sister
17.00 Conference ends