Pilgrimage to St. Paul's Cathedral

Pilgrimages are an important part of spiritual life for many Christians. They are long journeys or searches of great significance, sometimes a journey to a sacred place or shrine of importance to a person's beliefs and faith. Over the years some places have become special for various reasons, and Christians, who see life itself as a journey, decide to visit them to become closer to God. A pilgrimage is a symbol that is acted out and a person who makes such a journey is called a pilgrim.

Pilgrimages were first made to sites connected with the birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. They also began to be made to Rome and other sites associated with the Apostles, Saints and Christian martyrs, as well as to places where there have been apparitions of the Virgin Mary.

In the Middle Ages the Church encouraged people to make pilgrimages to special holy places as it was believed that if you prayed there you might be forgiven for your sins and have more chance of going to heaven. Others went on pilgrimages hoping to be cured from an illness they were suffering from. Travelling on long journeys in the Middle Ages was a dangerous activity. Pilgrims would often travel in groups to protect themselves against outlaws and stay in monasteries or inns overnight.

Over the years St. James's parishoners have made pilgrimages to many different places, some near to home and some to foreign lands. Some parishoners go on pilgrimages with their families and some go as a group. During his incumbency, Revd. Leathard led a number of pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Jordan, Mount Sinai, Jerusalem, Galilee, Syria and the Lebanon. There was a pilgrimage to Winchester in 2008, Revd. Vannozzi led a pilgrimage to Westminster Abbey in 2009 and to St Paul’s Cathedral in 2010 and the Revd. Debbie led a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2010. "The spiritual journey and strengthening or renewal of faith experienced by the group was hugely significant."

The Dead Sea

Jerusalem

The Holy Land