“The steady rhythm or pattern of pilgrimage accepts that God is not obvious, literal or predictable. We have to be… open to the unexpected. Pilgrimage nurtures an openness to the divine in everything.”

Donald Smith

We can go for a walk any time we like. A fast walk, a slow walk, a purposeful walk or a random one. Long or short, a walk is great exercise and a good thing to do either alone or with a group. A pilgrimage is more than just a walk though – a pilgrimage provides the opportunity for us to slow down and disconnect from the routines of our day to day lives and to do something completely different.

There is probably no right way to design a pilgrimage; much of that depends on what you want to achieve. Some people like to use the walking time for silent meditation, finding inspiration in what they see, hear and smell as they walk. Others may prefer more of a rhythm to their day – perhaps beginning with prayer, stopping along the way for reflection and sharing in communion.