Peace Pilgrimage blog: Journey's end

The Peace Pilgrimage, against the DSEI arms fair taking place at the Excel Centre London, has come to a close. The pilgrims had walked from Oxford to London, covering over 67 miles and ending at the candlelit vigil at the DSEI arms fair. The pilgrimage was organised by Faith Justice, who are members of the Passionist community and was sponsored by the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace.

The pilgrims began their journey from Oxford and have since passed through charming villages and rolling countryside. The varied terrain they walked on consisted of weathered stones, soft soil, and the occasional root, serving as a reminder of nature's endurance.

As the pilgrimage progressed, a transformation unfolded. The horizon gradually traded its wild contours for the rigid, orderly lines of urban architecture. The earth beneath them gave way to the, unyielding embrace of tarmac pavements, busy with people going about their business, and the pilgrims weaving between them. The scent of damp earth and vegetation was replaced by a mix of city aromas: exhaust, food stalls, and the indefinable energy of human life.

As the pilgrims passed through London, they stopped in front of arms companies located in the city, such as Northrop Grumman, Leonardo Aerospace, BAE Systems, Boeing, and Thales, to peacefully protest and offer prayers. They also held vigils at Parliament Square and outside St. Paul's Cathedral.

On Monday evening 11th Sept, the pilgrimage concluded outside the gates of the DSEI arms fair. The Quakers UK and Pax Christi organised a silent prayer vigil in solidarity with the victims of the arms trade. About 170 peacemakers of various faiths and denominations attended the vigil.

The silent prayer vigil was a beautiful demonstration of unity and peace. The peacemakers formed a semicircle and faced the DSEi arms fair which was separated from them by a wire fence. The area was guarded by security personnel and their dogs. The peacemakers held candles and embraced the silence, creating a serene atmosphere.

In this setting, words were not necessary for the peacemakers to convey their intentions. Instead, their presence and collective energy spoke volumes. It was a time of reflection and connection with their God. Through this simple act of sitting in silence, there was hope.

Our hope is in God, Revelation 21:3-4, serves as a reminder that amidst the violence and destruction that takes place upon earth, there is solace in the promise of a future where joy reigns supreme and God's boundless love washes away our deepest sorrows.

"See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." Revelation 21:3-4

1. Throughout the peace pilgrimage, regular podcasts were made with prominent guest speakers who spoke on a variety of subjects, including pilgrimage, global warming, the environment, arms trade and the inspiring story about the Catholic Worker Farm. These podcasts can be found through the following LINK.