In the Footsteps of St Cuthbert, a Centenary Pilgrimage
by Richard McDowell
In May 2025 to mark the jubilee year and the centenary of Lancaster diocese, people from across the diocese embarked on a pilgrimage journey into the story of some of the Northumbrian saints: St Cuthbert (one of the patrons of our diocese) and St Aidan and St Bede.
Staying at Ushaw Historic House, and blessed with sunshine throughout the 3 days together, the group visited Hexham Abbey, with its associations with St Wilfrid, and travelled to Bamburgh on the north east coast, to see the places where St Aidan worked, and where he is said to have died in 651AD. The group then crossed to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne to visit the medieval Priory, some making the journey across the sands on foot, very much following in the footsteps of the pilgrims of old. The pilgrimage ended at Durham Cathedral where prayers were said at the tomb of St Bede, and at the shrine of St Cuthbert, which dates back to 995AD.
It was interesting to hear about the fascinating lives of these saints, and to consider what lessons they can teach us about how we might live our lives some 1300 years later. Like the medieval saints, we too face challenges, but if we follow their example, we can, as pilgrims of hope in this jubilee year, be faithful to their memory by living the Gospel every day.
Huge thanks are due to the pilgrimage organiser, Fr Philip Conner, and to Bishop Paul and the priests on the pilgrimage for their spiritual guidance and support throughout. As one pilgrim said: ‘A wonderful pilgrimage, a real taste of heaven, all peoples together and helping each other’.
