Phil McCarthy is the man behind Pilgrim Ways - a digital resource that provides walking routes to key pilgrimage sites in each of our dioceses. An author, and former CEO of the Caritas Social Action Network, he has created a 'pilgrim way' for each diocese - from the cathedral of that diocese to one or more of its shrines.
"These are routes are not just for Catholics to deepen their faith," says Phil. "They're for everyone to experience pilgrimage within a Catholic setting."
The Pilgrim Ways website offers a number of resources to assist in preparing for a walking pilgrimage. It has an interactive map, provides GPX files for the routes that can be downloaded to mobile phones, and there are 'Pilgrim Passports' that you can get stamped along the way, not to mention certificates at the end to show that you've completed the walk.
Interestingly, the title for the project is Hearts in Search of God, and is inspired by a quotation from Pope Francis where he reminds us that in every pilgrim beats a heart in search of God - whether old or young, sick or in good health, or just a casual tourist.
Visit pilgrimways.org.uk to access the routes and resources. Our interview with Phil McCarthy was first broadcast in our Summer 2023 'At the Foot of the Cross' podcast.
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