Day 1: Journey to York

Pilgrims make their own way to York, and assemble at All Saints School, a short distance from York Railway Station, for registration. We then have our induction service before heading to York Minster for Evensong and the Catholic Church for the vigil Mass, so that we are spiritually as well as physically ready to start walking tomorrow.

Due to the Pilgrimage being so far north of the diocese this year, Pilgrims have travelled by all kinds of transport to get to York. John is shown waiting for a train at his local station.

Pilgrims arrive at the hall and start to unpack and set up their beds.

With beds made, we made our way upstairs to the Bar Convent Chapel for our induction service.

Sr Mary welcomed us with an interesting talk about the history of the chapel and the convent.

We all received our crosses from Fr David to show the start of our pilgrimage.

Aid then gave a talk about the walking stick that we received from Fr Joe's parish in Kenya (Happy Birthday Fr Joe by the way)...

...and Bruce explained the meaning behind the design of our pilgrimage crosses.

In the chapel there was a little priest hidey-hole.

After the service we set off from the hall on our way to York Minster for evensong.

We passed under the Mickelgate, one of York's gates that is on the walls that surrounds the city centre.

The route to the Minster took us along many interesting streets...

...and over a bridge over the River Ouse which runs through the centre of York.

Jonny confuses the locals by putting up an arrow.

Outside of York Minster there is a monument dedicated to Constantine the Great.

After evensong, we set off towards St Wilfrid's Catholic Church with views back of the Minster.

We celebrated mass...

...where we were joined by Patrick's sister Monica, niece Maeve and friend Sarah. Monica and Sarah walked with us from York in 1984!

Looking back to St Wilfrid's and the Minster as we head back to the school.

Pilgrims take pictures of each other on the river bridge.

Fr David carries the ceremonial walking stick.

Food time!

Thanks for all the e-mails today - they're great encouragement - we'll remember you in our prayers.