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Walking to Unity
Margaret Thomas and Saundra Storch from Wales reflect on one of the prophetic suggestions that emerged from the Newman Consultation to have a pilgrimage of reconciliation for pilgrims of the four nations of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales to Assisi to celebrate 40 years of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in 2007.
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At the end of the Newman Consultation in June 2005, we were asked to gather in our four national groups, from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and to form a cross. England, being the largest contingent, was the downward leg of the cross; Ireland and Scotland were the arms, and Wales, the smallest contingent, was the head of the cross. We then prayed for a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our islands. As we prayed and sang in tongues, Fr Pat Collins received a word, which he duly gave us. The word was that we should go on pilgrimage, and he told us that when he asked, “Where?” he received the answer, “Assisi”, and when he asked, “When?” the answer was “2007”, and he added that the pilgrimage should include some walking.
Several of us in the Welsh group at the Consultation were deeply struck by this word, and when we heard no more about it during 2005 and 2006, we felt earlier this year that we should contact Fr Pat to ask him to confirm that we were remembering correctly. His reply did confirm it and was encouraging. I and one other seemed to have been the only ones to have heard that he mentioned walking, and I asked him specifically about that. His answer was, “I got a sense that if people picked up on the suggestion they should walk at least part of the way. I thought that the younger folks might walk about 25-50 miles into Assisi, and that those of us who are older might walk about 5-10 miles. The whole idea is to imitate the pilgrims of old.” Pilgrimage is about renewal I have been further inspired in all this by my friend, Saundra Storch, who is involved in CCR in Wales and is also something of an expert in the meaning and history of pilgrimage. She explained to me that “Pilgrimage is about renewal. When you set out, you leave your old life and way of life behind. You set out uncluttered and free, and as you go, you shed more and more of the things that tie you, and you are made new with every step you take. The pace of the pilgrimage slows as you near your destination. When you reach that place, you are wholly renewed, a new person. And when you return home, your life is no longer the same because you are no longer the same as when you set out. But why pilgrimage? Is it not possible to achieve all we desire by staying at home? Why do we feel the need to follow God’s commandment to Abraham, ‘leave your country, your family and your father’s house’ (Genesis 12:1-2) Pilgrimage as sacrifice There are indeed many reasons for going on pilgrimage: to obtain spiritual/physical healing for ourselves and others; a penitential act; or as a token of gratitude for gifts received, etc. However, all these can be achieved by praying and staying at home. It seems then, that we go on pilgrimage because we need to go through what Arnold van Gennep called the rites de passage (rites of transition). We feel it is necessary as Christians to leave our homes and our loved ones to visit these sacred places which are at times some distance from where we live. Pilgrimage is in a way a sacrifice and this is precisely why we become pilgrims. Great sense of camaraderie On pilgrimage too there is a great sense of camaraderie: we meet up with old friends, we make new friends. We bond with other nationalities. There are periods when we go sightseeing and visit places of secular interest – ‘people who pray together play together’. When we arrive at our destination and stand in front of that particular shrine, we are overcome not only by the history of the place, but also by its holiness and we become very aware of our own human failings – hence the long queues for confessions. We return home different. Whereas tourists return home tanned, happy and relaxed, with the pilgrim an inner change has also taken place.” So – shall we go? At the Newman Consultation, I was particularly struck by the mention of walking. At the time the word was given, my reaction was threefold. Firstly, we were being called to do this, - “Why Assisi?” I wondered. Secondly, who exactly were the “we” who were being called? - Just those present at the Consultation, or the far greater number whom we represented? Thirdly, would we be walking a substantial part of the way – like pre-Reformation pilgrims or pilgrims in our own time to Santiago de Compostela? Now, over 18 months on, I have no straight answers but a growing certainty that this is not our plan, but God’s,and that the answers are known to Him. As we follow where we are called, we will see the answers unfold. For me, Assisi partly means rebuilding the Church as St Francis was commissioned to do, and somehow St Francis always seems to be a very important source of inspiration at times when, as now, the Church is in crisis. Calling pilgrims from the four nations Who are the “we” who are being called? There is only one thing of which I am certain and that is that we should come from all four nations. As to the rest, those who come will be those who are called. As for the walking element, Fr Pat confirmed that it should be like the pilgrimages of old (and indeed I received confirmation of this just before reading my original email to him.)There is another question, and that is “When?” At present it seems as if the last week in August might be a possibility, but nothing has been fixed. We will agree a time when we hear preferences from all of you who will come. Those who are unable to walk far, could either meet us there, or join us earlier on the way, sharing our accommodation but using public transport to get from place to place. So - shall we go? We need to decide as soon as possible when to go, and we need some idea of the numbers involved. We hope that accommodation will be given to us for the walking part of the journey, but expect that it may be basic. Those who would need accommodation of a higher standard should let us know.
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