Nottingham welcomes the national Pilgrimage of Hope

This September pilgrims will be walking to Nottingham Diocese from four corners of England and Wales.  The National Jubilee Pilgrimage of Hope marks the Church’s Holy Year of 2025, with pilgrims setting out on foot from the Catholic cathedrals in Cardiff, Leeds, Norwich and Southwark.  They converge on Nottingham for the weekend of 13 and 14 September.  Let’s give them a warm Nottingham welcome!

Join the pilgrimage for a day

Day pilgrims are very welcome to join sections of the pilgrimage along the way.  The stages in Nottingham Diocese take in overnight stops listed below. Numbers of day pilgrims are limited and bookings close on 21 August: check availability and book your place.

• St Luke’s Way from Norwich via Wisbech (9 September), Spalding, Bourne, Grantham and Bingham
• St Mark’s Way from Leeds via Padley Chapel (10 September), Matlock, Ripley and Eastwood
• St John’s Way from London via Market Harborough (10 September), Belton-in-Rutland, Melton Mowbray, Keyworth
• St Matthew’s Way from Cardiff via Burton-on-Trent (12 Sept) and Long Eaton.  

Join the welcome and celebration Ceilidh

Whether you walk or not, come to the Cathedral on 13 September and enjoy a fitting celebration of the Jubilee Year.  Meet pilgrims who arrive throughout the afternoon from 3.00 p.m.  The Cathedral will be hosting Heritage Open Days with tours, a mini-pilgrimage of the building, and CAFOD’s Jubilee Icon on display.  At 5.00 p.m. join Bishop Patrick in a thanksgiving liturgy to welcome all pilgrims and give thanks for the safe arrival of those who have travelled far.

In the evening, you are warmly invited to a celebration Ceilidh in the Cathedral Hall.  Mancunian Irisk folk trio ‘Ride On’ provide the music, with a traditional ceilidh called by Leicester parishioner David Mottram.  Doors open at 7.00 p.m., and the event closes at 9.30 p.m.  Tickets, including a ploughman’s supper, are £10 and available from the Cathedral Office: please let us know any dietary requirements.  Book early to avoid disappointment!

Join the concluding Solemn Mass

Having spent two weeks walking from different corners England and Wales, the four groups of pilgrims will have completed their ‘sign of the cross’ over the country.  The Pilgrimage will culminate at 11.15 a.m. on Sunday 14 September with Solemn Mass in the Cathedral for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.  Refreshments are available afterwards in the Cathedral Hall.  All are welcome.

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To book for the Ceilidh on 13 September please email the Cathedral office and pay £10 per ticket by cash, or online to sort code 30-96-18 and account number 01647189.