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Jubilee spiritual practices: Walk humbly

The earliest Christians were called followers of the way, so core was journeying together to their sense of discipleship. How, by walking humbly with God, do we grow in our desire to act justly and to share the abundant gifts of our common home with all people?

In our final webinar, we were joined by Dr Phil McCarthy of the Hearts in Search of God project, as we looked back together on the year of Jubilee and looked forward, at the start of Advent, to the incarnation. 

Love has its speed. It is a spiritual speed. It is a different kind of speed from the technological speed to which we are accustomed. It goes on in the depth of our life, whether we notice or not, at three miles an hour. It is the speed we walk and therefore the speed the love of God walks.
KOSUKE KOYAMA

What we contemplate in the incarnation is God becoming human, the Word living among us. As Kosuke Koyama has pointed out, the average person walks at 3 miles an hour. If the incarnation is the ultimate expression of God’s love for us, then love walks at 3 miles per hour. Love’s ‘rhythm’ is not that of a jet plane or an uber, loves rhythm is that of a pilgrim. So what can this year of many pilgrimages of hope tell us about how we welcome the King of love into our midst this Advent? 

Pilgrimage: a training in love

In the Christian tradition, the spiritual practice of pilgrimage can be a training in love. As pilgrims, we are invited us to take time to meander, to converse, to encounter fellow pilgrims. Ancient pilgrim routes were often treacherous rather than comfortable, requiring a sharing of burdens, and made possible by houses of hospitality along the way. The walking pilgrim comes face to face with the elements, shoulder to shoulder with neighbours, and dependent upon the hospitality of strangers for their board. 

Hearts in Search of God

The aim of Hearts in Search of God project is to promote walking pilgrimage in England and Wales. 22 Pilgrim Ways from Catholic cathedrals to one or more shrines in the same diocese have been develped, welcoming people of all religious faiths and none

These offer an opportunity for Christians to deepen their faith and give people the chance to experience walking pilgrimage in a Catholic context

Whoever they may be — young or old, rich or poor, sick and troubled or curious tourists — let them find due welcome, because in every person there is a heart in search of God, at times without being fully aware of it.
POPE FRANCIS

Inspiration

Phil McCarthy shared his inspiration for setting up the project, especially highlighting:

- The impact of pilgrimage in his own life
- The recovery of a vibrant tradition within lived Catholicism in our nations
- Pilgrimage as bridge with the secular world
- The opportunity for welcome, outreach to the margins, hospitality, evangelisation
- Solitude, accompaniment, fellowship & encounter
- Recovery from the pandemic
- A greener alternative

The 2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope

Pilgrim Ways: 2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope

The 2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope blessed our nations with the Sign of the Cross

In the 2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope, 4 routes converged at Nottingham on 13th September, blessing our nation with the Sign of the Cross.

It was an opportunity for Catholics to experience being pilgrims of hope, an evangelical witness and a joyful contribution to the Church’s celebration of the Jubilee.

250 Day pilgrims registered online, with 641 miles walked and 21,257 feet climbed over 45 days.
It is hoped that there will be a lasting legacy in creating a Catholic walking pilgrimage community.

You can find out more and sign up for quarterly newsletters on the Pilgrim Ways website.