This summer’s pilgrimage saw the group treking from Southern Ireland and finishing at St David’s Cathedral. Jo Williams, wife of Revd. Canon David Williams reflects on this truly special journey and the impact it has on her faith:
“As I left to take part in our pilgrimage from Ferns in Southern Ireland to St. David’s in Wales, I realised that I had hardly given thought to what would be ahead of me. In semi-retirement, life seems as busy as ever, and I skidded into this experience fairly frazzled. Looking back now on our two weeks away, there has been much to ponder. In the first days, we worked on finding our rhythm, both physically and spiritually. We followed as much as we could, in the footsteps of St. Aidan in Ireland, his friendship with St. David, learning about their lives and visiting holy wells along the way. (Do look them up and read their life stories and legacies). Our daily prayers in these special places became ‘living water’ for our souls to refresh us on our way each day I liken some aspects of my pilgrimage to how the disciples on the Emmmaus Road may have felt… times of reflecting with others about our relationship with Jesus whilst searching for new revelation from Him along the way.
I found in pilgrimage a journey ‘within’ unfolding. At first, an inability to settle internally. There had to be an unwinding through slowing down. Walking step by step was a wonderful tonic to achieve this. Then, there came the emerging of uncomfortable things, the realisation of the burdens I was carrying which needed to be unloaded. This led to prayers, tears and vulnerability, and mutual sharing with fellow pilgrims as we walked. After all that, then came a sense of walking lighter, bringing exhilaration and joy, plus a sense of accomplishment.
Learning to walk at the ‘pace of grace’, whatever that really means is something I will explore further for my daily life. I guess it means living in step with the Holy Spirit and letting Jesus simply take us through our days? I loved the fellowship, fun and friendship with others along the way which kept us going in the hard places of our journey. Day by day we experienced a growing in love as ‘brothers and sisters in Christ’, as well as the privilege of bearing each others burdens and recognising Christ in each other. For some of us, keeping up with David’s pace was a challenge and one pilgrim did threaten to throw him over the cliff if he didn’t slow down.
We laughed so much and drank the best Guinness in the world. One afternoon, we relived childhood memories, swimming in the sea, eating ice cream and simply having fun. On another evening we listened to an Irish band in a fabulous Irish ‘local’. The people we met along the way left an impact upon us….. a young farmer who let us sit in his tractor bucket to rest, the couple who had restored an ancient cottage called ‘The House of Stories’ in order to preserve the tales of the past, and the widower standing in his garden who simply wanted to tell someone about his dear wife.
The beauty of God’s Creation impacted us daily. We saw this in the blackness of night time and the brightness of stars, the incredible sea mists which protected and refreshed us from the burning sun and the wonderful blue skies, birds, wild flowers and so much more. Our 100 mile pilgrimage had been a gift to us all. We are all pilgrims. We all follow something or someone. May you join me in thinking about your journey and where it might lead. May you and I be sure to follow all that truly matters and seek to follow the One who is The Way, The Truth and The Light, Jesus.”
Psalm 84 v.5,6,7
Blessed are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they
pass through the Valley of Baka (veil of tears), they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion’.
Blessings!
Jo Williams