On 24th May 2023, nine Columban pilgrims set off for Cornwall praying the words of St. Columban as they journeyed south. They would walk 28 miles over three days from Padstow to Fowey along a route thought to have been followed by St. Columban on his missionary journey from Ireland to Europe.
Their pilgrimage took place during Laudato Si’ Week and wove together the themes of mission and ecological conversion in prayers and reflections shared along the way, featuring the voices of St. Columban and Columban Missionaries today in China, Pakistan, South America, the Philippines, and Britain.
In partnership with Caritas, CAFOD and the Youth Ministry, the Columban Missionaries gifted these prayers and reflections to the people of the Plymouth Diocese. Now we extend this gift to you and your community in the form of The Columban Way Pilgrimage booklet. We invite you to become Columban Way pilgrims and to walk, as we did, listening to and reflecting on ‘the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor’.
There are many ways to be a pilgrim. Design a walk near to where you live, walk an established pilgrimage route (like the Columban Way!), or let the words guide you on a retreat or recollection day. An outline for an optional Mass is included.
We’d love to hear about your pilgrimage!
E-mail pilgrim4christ@columbans.co.uk or connect with us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
