Pilgrimage

Over the last 7 years we have walked a number of pilgrimage routes in Portugal, Spain and Italy.  These typically weave their way through settled countryside, stopping in towns and villages, maybe two, three or even four a day.  Mostly accommodation and food is found en route.  One carries minimum gear – certainly not a tent, not more than a day’s food and no cooking gear.

For us, this walk is quite different.  We may well go up to seven days without sighting other people let alone a town.  We will need to be totally self reliant even down to finding our way through open wilderness where there are no tracks.  We will need food drops cached along the way (Put there ahead of time by us where we come close or cross roads).

While there is likely to be a distinct shortage of churches and monasteries practising hospitality to pilgrims on this route, we are very conscious we will be in the cathedral of God’s creation and spending time with him.  This is very much a spiritual journey for us and we are looking forward to this aspect of it.

We both enjoy the Celtic rhythms of spiritual life and hope to weave these into the walk.  Below are some Prayers for the Journey.

The Pilgrim Prayer

God be with us over every mountain,
Jesus be with us through every valley,
Spirit be with us across every stream.

Each lake and ridge,
Each moor and plain,
Each forest and beach,
Speaks the way of God.

God be with us each lying down,
Jesus be with us each rising up,
Spirit be with us each step of the way.

Each shelter found,
Each summit reached,
Each crossing safe,
Speaks the care of God.

God shine your sun upon us,
Jesus shade us with your clouds,
Spirit refresh us with your breeze.

Each thought of hearth and home,
Each care of person dear,
Each gift of place to dwell,
Speaks the love of God.

God guide us through this day,
Jesus help us on our way,
Spirit bring us safe home again.

Extended and adapted from ideas in the
Carmina Gadelica

The places of God

God be with us as we answer the call
God be with us as we prepare our hearts
God be with us as we pack our bags
God farewell us as we lock our door
and leave the place you have given us. 

Jesus be with us as we find our way
Jesus be with us as we carry our packs
Jesus be with us as we face each challenge
Jesus prepare for us as we camp each night
and find each new place in which you dwell.

Spirit be with us as we complete our journey
Spirit be with us as we reflect and learn
Spirit be with us as we lay down the pilgrim’s role
Spirit welcome us as we unlock our door
and arrive home to your gift of place again. 

Morning Prayer
We arise to this new day to the glory of God
We give thanks, Jesus for sustenance for our way
We pack and step forward to follow, Holy Spirit

Three in one – Light the way before us
Three in one – Walk along beside us
Three in one – Watch the way behind us

May we walk through this day in praise to you
Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Evening Prayer
We lay down to rest this night to the glory of God
We give thanks, Jesus for watching over us today
We dwell in your shelter, Holy Spirit.

Three in one – Grant us sleep in safety
Three in one – Grant us rest to refresh us
Three in one – Watch over us through this night

May we rest through this night in praise to you
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

Thin places

Holy God, above all, Ruler and King
Creator God, alive within your world.

Grant, in your grace, that on this journey
You would draw us to yourself
Through the wonder of your creation.

Grant, in your love, that on this journey
You would show us yourself
Through the beautiful places where you yourself walk. 

Grant, in your mercy, that on this journey
You would speak to us
In and through the thin places between your worlds.

Grant us eyes to see you
Grant us ears to hear you
Grant us spirits alive to you.

Amen. 

Blessing of the way and the pilgrim

Bless the sun that shines
Bless the wind that blows
Bless the rain that falls
Bless the cold that cools
Bless the heat that warms
Bless the clouds that cover
Bless the trees that shade
Bless the mountains that guide
Bless the water that refreshes
Bless the way we walk
Through the world you have made. 

Bless our feet with resilience
Bless our legs with endurance
Bless our bodies with sustenance
Bless our hearts with courage
Bless our backs with strength
Bless our minds with wisdom
Bless our eyes with beauty
Bless our ears with silence
Bless our souls with peace
Bless our spirits with your presence
As this day we walk your way.