Catholic Churches of Our Lady of Sorrows,
Effingham and The Holy Spirit, Fetcham

I am not sure what I expected from the Pope’s Visit but I can tell you that if I did expect anything it would not have been that! (more…)

For centuries people have journeyed from all parts of Europe to Northern Spain where, legend has it, the bones of St James the apostle have their final resting place. Even if it is highly unlikely that St James, either in life or death, ever went anywhere near Spain, the story has taken root and a remote settlement in Galicia has become, after Rome, the busiest centre of Christian pilgrimage. (more…)

Croagh Patrick

Last July my friend, Father Michael, and I witnessed the annual pilgrimage to the summit of Croagh Patrick, ‘nature’s cathedral of the west’, as it is known.  Some 25,000 people climbed the mountain, people from all walks of life, rich and poor, young and old – some very old.  Many of the pilgrims climbed the mountain in their bare feet! (more…)