Every year the FCJ Young Adult Network organises a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne. This year eleven pilgrims took part on the weekend of April 10-12. Sisters Anouska, Elvie, Lynne and MaryAnne and FCJ Postulant Charlotte accompanied the young adult group. Sr Lynne writes about the experience.
The pilgrims arrived on Wednesday evening at the Joiners Shop Bunkhouse which was to be our base for the days of pilgrimage. The bunkhouse is simple but cosy and has the benefit of a large kitchen table and a log burner! The first evening was an opportunity to introduce ourselves and to begin to settle into the idea of pilgrimage, with input on different aspects of our pilgrim journey.
On Thursday we walked a stretch of St. Cuthbert’s Way, starting from the market town of Wooler and visiting St. Cuthbert’s Cave along the way. Throughout the day we had plenty of stops to chat, pray, eat and relax. The scenery is always beautiful, and we were glad to enjoy some moments of sunshine (as well as a brief shower!) Towards the end of the walk we had our first glimpse of Holy Island. Returning to the bunkhouse in the evening we continued to build community as we celebrated Mass together, through cooking together, sharing a meal, and later closing our day with the Examen.
Setting out on Friday, we already had a feeling of being much closer as a group, the shared experience of the day before drawing us together, and our sharing and socialising felt deeper as we walked. There are some lovely parts to this second walk, with a walk in the forest leading out to a beautiful café where we could enjoy the luxury of a coffee on the way!
Then out across the fields to the Causeway of Holy Island… We walked the causeway barefoot as a group, this year managing to avoid the worst of the mud! The joy of the group was wonderful as we walked, chatted and prayed together.
Reaching Lindisfarne via the pilgrim path is a special moment in the pilgrimage, and after a time to rest and reflect we went together to the Church where we were able to celebrate Mass, joined by a few other visitors to the island. It was lovely for the FCJs to sing the Magnificat for the whole group at the end of Mass.
Saturday began with Mass in the Bunkhouse, followed by an amazing, cooked breakfast, with everyone contributing to the preparation in some way.
Then we set off for a day on Lindisfarne. We walked around the perimeter of the island, stopping on one of the beaches to do a litter pick and for some of the group to enjoy a VERY cold swim!! In the afternoon we walked out to St. Cuthbert’s Island for a simple time of prayer at the cross, bringing with us the intentions we each carried throughout the pilgrimage. Then a celebratory meal before heading back to the bunkhouse for a final night.
On Sunday we travelled to Durham and joined the parish community of St. Cuthbert in Durham for Mass, then went to the Shrine of St. Cuthbert in Durham Cathedral for the closing prayer of the pilgrimage. This year the Cathedral gave each pilgrim a St. Cuthbert’s Cross token, which was a lovely memento to take away. We said goodbye to each other at the Cathedral, making our journeys home… full of joy and gratitude for a wonderful pilgrimage.
