Jenny and Xavier are taking on CAFOD's Big Lent Walk and using it as an opportunity to pilgrimage around Plymouth and beyond for the Jubilee. They are truly 'Pilgrims of Hope'.
In this Jubilee Year for the Catholic Church, we are called to be Pilgrims of Hope. In his message for the Jubilee Year, Pope Francis tells us:
“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.”
I have signed up to do CAFOD’s Big Lent Walk for the fifth year, again with my son, Xavier, and intend to make my Lenten commitment into a Jubilee pilgrimage. This Holy Year, I’m determined to set out on a journey, in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in countries experiencing conflict and poverty. This has become even more important to me in the midst of the turmoil of our world today.
In every Catholic Diocese of England and Wales (and indeed all over the Catholic world), a number of churches and shrines have been designated as places of pilgrimage for the faithful to visit during the Year of Jubilee. In my Diocese of Plymouth, we have four of these designated places. I’ve picked up a Pilgrim’s Passport from my parish a few weeks ago – to motivate me to make plans to visit.
One way I could make my Big Lent Walk more like a pilgrimage would be to visit the four places of pilgrimage in my Diocese during Lent and learn more about them. I can go to Mass in each of them and pray intentionally for our sisters and brothers experiencing hardship in so many of the countries where CAFOD works and pray for CAFOD supporters who are acting in faith, hope and love for our global family in this Jubilee Year. And I will pray for Pope Francis, who has shown us how to journey together in hope.
“I will share my experiences on this pilgrimage and ask my friends to sponsor Xavier and I in raising funds to support our sisters and brothers. By giving to CAFOD this Lent, we are all taking action to make this troubled world of ours a better place.”
Why not check out your local designated places of pilgrimage on your Diocese’s website and make plans to incorporate walks to these churches or shrines as part of your Big Lent Walk. Encourage some friends from your parish to walk with you and sponsor you. If your parish is organising a Jubilee pilgrimage, combine it with a Community Big Lent Walk and encourage more people to join, pray and give to support our Lent Appeal.
And if you are travelling during Lent, look up the designated places of pilgrimage wherever you are going and visit them on your journey. I’m also planning to visit places of pilgrimage in other parts of England and in Italy during Lent.
Join the Big Lent Walk
Could you challenge yourself to take on the Big Lent Walk like Jenny and Xavier?
Walk 200km over the 40 days of Lent and get sponsored to raise money to help people fighting poverty around the world. You can walk alone, with friends or in your school.