Pellegrini Per Sempre....

Well….home again, to a wonderful welcome return from everyone (much to my embarrassment !)



Some brief facts…
I walked 2,048 kilometres, 2,969,465 steps…
It took me 3 months exactly, from setting off from Ramsgate on the 5th April 2016 to going through the Holy Door at St Peters 5th July 2016

 
I was granted the ‘Testimonium’ (certificate of pilgrimage) from the Vatican , and for my own wonderful sharers in my pilgrimage from the Parish, I received a special Holy Year certificate of pilgrimage for us all…

I saw this picture in the Hostel at Rome as I was leaving – I think it sums everything up nicely…

Thanks for your company !

Tuesday 5th July - The Final Steps!

What a glorious day !! 
3 months to the day since leaving Ramsgate, Kent I awoke to conclude my pilgrimage where I always wanted to - the Holy Door at St Peters, Vatican City.. and I would walk through it, having walked across 4 countries to get here!! 

I'd been a little underwhelmed at my reception and experience as I arrived in Rome and the Vatican yesterday, not that I, or any of my fellow pilgrims expected a fanfare... Although I did receive many many messages from around the World since arriving in Rome... Another humbling experience!! 
- Which was compounded later yesterday evening by having our feet washed (and kissed) by the Hospitalero, from the Confraternity of St James... 

Anyway today I wandered out of the hostel shortly after 730 am, to walk along the riverbank of the Tiber towards the Vatican... 

My legs had obviously decided 'time was up', as my ankle which had been troubling me for some weeks (ever since the Alps!) was very painful, and I ended up hobbling my way along... Nothing would stop me now!! 

 












I arrived at the end of Via del Conciliazone, at the start of the walkway to the Holy door.... I was 2 hours early, but had decided I may need a little time to recollect and pray along the way (and did!!)

 


















I was given a prayer leaflet to contemplate along the way, along with a DVD of Luke's gospel, and then I set off walking along the long road, pausing to reflect, remember and pray as I went along... I hope that I remembered all my, and your special requests for prayer as I walked along... I'm sure I did!! 

I stopped at the church of St Mary of Reconciliation along the way... To find a compliant Italian priest... To hear my confession... My preparations were as good as I could make! 

I walked through the security checks at St Peters square, then sat in the shade for quite some time, watching various groups going up along the walkway towards the Holy Door:

trying to remember, pray and reflect... It was quite overwhelming (my mascara may have run a little!!) 

Then I set off across the hot square, up towards the steps leading up to St Peters, again pausing as I went along... And waiting!! 

At exactly 11 am (10 am UK time) I walked up to, and paused at the special Holy Door... As I stood there, quite overwhelmed by the experience, and praying a nice 'bubble' appeared around me and I was allowed to contemplate and pray as I wished... there may have been crowds around me, but not troubled by officialdom - thanks! 

Then, through the Holy Door I passed, touching its bronze panels.... and drinking in the experience!! 
Then I was into the basilica, I prayed briefly at the tomb of St John Paul II, then left the basilica, and went down to the crypt, where I was able to finalise my pilgrimage at the tomb of St Peter...... what more can I say!? 

I had walked the three months to get here and do this... Was it worth it?- absolutely!! 

I went up to the basilica, and attended mass there... Had a little wander round, taking in the sights...

Touching the foot of St Peters statue as I left... Then it was all done!! 

There's not many pictures today, I didn't want to interrupt myself!! 

Once again thanks to my son in law Wayne for keeping my blog up to date, to Fr John Cairns my parish priest, who has emailed me every day, and everyone who's taken this pilgrimage with me - your support and prayers have been overwhelming, and I'm very grateful for them! 

I cannot say anymore...
 
Thank You, may God bless you all. 
Joe 

Monday 4th July - Almost at the End

A leisurely start from the peaceful convent at La Storta,

as me and Frida set off to travel along the busy Via Cassia and Via Trionfale, which will take us to our destination - St Peters Square, Vatican City, Rome.... The place I've spent the last three months walking towards!! 

I walked along in the footsteps of Giants...

Keeping me in the right direction!! 
We stopped at a bar around 9 am, for our last travelling coffee... And continued battling our way into the centre of Rome... Frequently the roads having no footpath... But the Reputedly reckless Italian drivers were very good with two weary pilgrims!! 

By about 1030 our goal was in sight below us,

and spurred us on, speeding our steps... 
Shortly after 11 am, we went through the huge queues of tourists, and into... St Peters Square!! 
Not quite the finish... But almost!! 

 


















I'm not sure what I felt (and still don't!!) all these people around, no one really knowing what we were celebrating... Apart from Simon, who I'd walked with many weeks ago, still in Rome and there to greet me; wonderful, thanks!! 

We dumped our rucksacks in the pilgrim centre, dressed in trousers (covered up) and then were granted access inside the Vatican secretariat (my best Italian convincing all the guards it was OK!) to receive our Testimonium (pilgrimage certificate) from a diplomat there!

Then it was back to change, make our way to the Spediale pilgrim hostel... And grab a bed and food on the way!! 

So almost at an end for all of us - I'll go through the Holy Door tomorrow, for everyone... Join me!! 

Sunday 3rd July - Rome, Rome.... Wherefore Art Thou?!

Awakened by the cock crowing from outside our Ostello shortly after 5 am... I did pause for a while, remembering this would be my last big day walking... And trying to remember everyone, and everything ... - impossible!! 

However we had a good breakfast - I even had cornflakes and cold milk, lovely! 

So we headed off through Campagnano with just the street sweeper for company

It was a misty morning, reminiscent of Tuscany (the heat later on certainly was!!), and as we climbed the steep rise up and out of the town, we came across the other 4 pilgrims, who unfortunately for them had been stopping in the centre of town, and so hadn't got to sleep until almost midnight, as Italy were beaten by Germany in the Euros! 
Like I've said many times, I've been well looked after on this pilgrimage - God knows I need my sleep!! 

As we got into the countryside I saw how it had changed, still arable farming, but no vines/hazlenuts, miles and miles of hay/grass crops, and woods stretching into the distance.

 















Because of the misty sky, it was very humid so perspiration was coming thick and fast... (that's being polite!!) 

We then ended up in a country park with horses and cattle grazing the fields, and finally a clearer sky to ease the humidity for a while!!

 















Around 9 am we arrived in Formello, for a leisurely cafe stop, before continuing through the open fields and roads, on what was becoming a really hot day... finding shade where I could.

Then a last hard climb up to La Storta, arriving just before 230 pm, to the Convent of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart... Slightly pricey room, but with our own balcony and.... Air conditioning -- these convents really are becoming up market!! 

We washed, relaxed, even getting to 5 pm mass in the chapel, before our evening meal, and rest.... Before the busyness of Rome tomorrow!! 

Ive just got a walk of 17 kms tomorrow, along busy roads towards my final destination... And I've still not seen Rome!! 

As I've said before, I walk through the Holy Door at St Peters on Tuesday morning at 11 am (10 am UK time)... If you can I'd like you to pause and pray with me for all our intentions, especially people you would like me to gain the special Jubilee Year of Mercy Plenary indulgence for - we can do it together.

Saturday 2nd July - Funny Feelings

A nice peaceful nights sleep, and good breakfast had all 6 pilgrims ready to get the mini bus back to Sutri before 7 am... 

Driven by one of the nuns... 

We all set off together in the town, immediately taking a bit of a short cut to save needlessly walking a big loop through the forest... However as time went along we all split up, and after a cafe stop in Monterosi I was able to spend a pleasant day walking through a 'nature park' - not quite sure it meant... But it was certainly a dusty road through the newly planted Hazlenut fields

Again a sunny day, with the temperature increasing again, and no water to be found... So I had to eke it out!! 
Just before 1 pm I suddenly saw up above, what turned out to be today's destination Campagnano da Roma:

Another pleasant little town, somewhat run down but with nice people... 

Whilst struggling to find my accommodation - at a new Ostello... I bumped into Frida who'd booked it for us, and eventually we located it... Probably an old garage or shed, nicely converted (reminded me of my early days in the garage in France!)

We settled in, did some shopping in the town - we'll cook for ourselves tonight for a change!!... And relax!! 

I'm now 42 kms from St Peters square... Tomorrow is the last big days walking... 
It's a funny feeling!! 

Friday 1st July - Looking forward..... to Rome!!

A leisurely start this morning with a 7 am breakfast inside the convent, and as I set off the singing from within the church at the 730 am service was delightful, although I couldn't stop...

Then we were away climbing up through the hills, and woods initially:

Then it was on and in to a very large Hazlenut forest....

with an ancient and ruined tower and monastic fortress within it - Oraldno towers

Again as previous day's the sun was shining nicely, but it didn't feel too hot - I must surely be getting used to it (it'll cost a fortune in heating at home!!) 

By late morning we were arriving in Capranica, a pleasant busy little town, and where we had a leisurely drink and food:

before filling our water bottles and pushing on down and along a brilliant little track through woods, with a lovely shaded canopy of trees above us, keeping things nicely cooled! - although the pleasant horses cropping alongside the tracks weren't the most friendly, especially as we tried to pass them!!

As we got through the woods, we got back onto the ancient Via Cassia, with its side walks built from the local quarried Tuffa Rock:

 



















We then arrived early afternoon in the small town of Sutri, with its old Roman ampitheatre,

and a look around the towns Cathedral, it's Crypt and aroundabout....

We tried to get into a convent hostel in the centre of town - not too welcoming, and having found out about the Franciscan 'Oasis of Peace' a few miles out of town, a quick phone call was made, and we were collected by a nun in a minibus... With a lovely welcome once we arrived with chilled tea drinks with mint in them, sat in the garden!! 

We shared a nice meal later with another four pilgrims, and settled in for a nice quiet night!! 

Less than 70 kms to Rome... With the Good news received today that I've got a reserved place to go through the Holy Door at St Peters next Tuesday morning at 11 am... To conclude my Pilgrimage!!