Normally a pilgrimage is a journey from home to a holy place. Our Region includes 7 Communities in 4 provinces spanning 2500 kilometers. So gathering everyone together to make a pilgrimage can prove challenging! This pilgrimage was designed differently so that more people could participate. We created sacred spaces in three different cities, and most people entered the journey in one of those places. A few pilgrims participated in several places so that links could be made throughout the journey.

Every part of the pilgrimage included stories and sharing from Hazel and Richard, walking together, the liturgy of the washing of the feet, and celebration.

Pilgrims walked to holy places. In Calgary we walked to the Monastery of the Precious Blood, where the Sisters were celebrating their 150th anniversary of the founding of their order – the first contemplative order in Canada. In Vancouver we followed a cross through city streets and a beautiful park. In Winnipeg, the walk took place at the Forks and St. Boniface Cathedral. The Forks, the place where the Assiniboine and Red Rivers meet, has been a meeting point of people of the First Nations for 6000 years. St. Boniface is a holy place, where early missionaries to western Canada came to serve those in need.

Many graces were given throughout the pilgrimage, and it was a wonderful celebration of the relationships we have with one another.