Northern Cross pilgrims prepare to set off for Lindisfarne

Approaching Lindisfarne - 2013

Pilgrims across the country and abroad are making final preparations before the annual Easter journey of the Northern Cross pilgrimage to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, in Northumberland. On their way, they provide those who see them with a reminder of the true meaning behind the Christian festival of Easter. To quote a pilgrim from last year: “Pilgrimage is a shower for the soul.”

From the 12 to 20 April, up to 80 pilgrims will journey through various parts of Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, in four or five groups, known as 'Legs'. Most legs will walk around 70 – 120 miles during Holy Week. Another leg (of long distance cyclists) is making their way unsupported from a start point north of Liverpool. Each main leg carries a large wooden cross as a sign of Christian witness. They stay in church and village halls along the route, and join in with people of local churches for worship. The legs will gather together on 18 April, Good Friday, to cross the Pilgrims Crossing to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. The dramatic bearing of these crosses over the tidal causeway sands and the arrival onto Lindisfarne on Good Friday morning, marks the beginning of the pilgrimage's unique celebration of Easter.

Frances Williams, Overall Coordinator of Northern Cross 2014, said: “Northern Cross is a very unique experience, a week of fellowship that can be tremendously rewarding as we share a common pilgrimage. Making this time for Easter, participants come from many different backgrounds, denominations and ages, all have left daily routines to enjoy pleasant walking, new friendships, and joyful liturgy. Walking together, we are boosted in many ways through experiencing the beautiful countryside, the local communities and by sharing prayer, worship and song. Ultimately we all have a really good time".

Included in this year's pilgrims are walkers who will have traveled from more distant locations including the United States and other countries. Also walking is Fr Brendan Callaghan SJ, new Novice Master for the Jesuit Order in Britain, Ireland & The Netherlands.

Frances went on: “People may think pilgrimage is a historic concept, yet Christian pilgrimage is very much alive, demonstrated yearly by the five million people who go to Lourdes, or the 200 thousand who walk the Camino di Santiago (from the Pyrenees to North West Spain). Northern Cross is another example of this. On pilgrimage we are removed from extra possessions, and just require whatever can be carried in a small bag. Cut down to essentials, we are stripped of most trappings of modern living.

"A pilgrimage is a chance to mirror life, to step back and look to see what the important things are. We can spend the time to look for meanings in life; or to work out things that trouble you, or just to reflect.” “Northern Cross, and any walking pilgrimage, is a chance to get away from the demands of the world. The destination alone is not solely important – it is a goal – but the important thing is to form a small Christian group of people, travelling together on the road, using each others skills, helping with each other's weaknesses, working as a team to achieve an aim. That community is an important part of experiencing the Easter celebration.”

There are still places available for the pilgrimage if you wish to join.

For more information visit: www.northerncross.co.uk or call Frances Williams, Coordinator on 07767 808063

Twitter: www.twitter.com/northerncrossuk or follow @northerncrossuk or hashtag #nx2014 

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