Our Laudato Si' Mini-Pilgrimages
During this Year of St Francis of Assisi, we will build on our 2025 Jubilee legacy of at least one Laudato Si’ Mini-Pilgrimage or environmental event in each of the FOUR Seasons of Creation!
Watch this space for news of when and where this year’s Laudato Si’ Mini-Pilgrimages will take place…!
This is what we did last year… follow the links to a write-up and photographs of each event:
SPRING! (Saturday 31 May 2025) A walk from Leeds Cathedral to Kirkstall Abbey.
AUTUMN! (Saturday 4 October 2025) The walking element of this mini-pilgrimage was cancelled owing to ‘Storm Amy’ – but the liturgical aspects and Blessing of the Animals took place as planned at St Benedict’s Church, Garforth
WINTER! (Saturday 13 December 2025) Advent Eco-Fair at Hinsley Hall, Headingley.
In common with all our diocesan pilgrimages, the walks are fully risk-assessed, so require all pilgrims to sign up by contacting communications@dioceseofleeds.org.uk
Since 2018 our Laudato Si’ Mini Pilgrimages have been celebrations of God’s Creation and of our care for the earth, Our Common Home. They initially began as short, seasonal, guided walks through Ilkley’s Myddelton Grange estate woodlands to the Calvary led by the then Estate Manager, the late Paul Elgar, who initiated and implemented diocesan conservation and renewal projects on the Myddelton site.
It is thanks to parishioners at Sacred Heart, Ilkley who came on that first ‘pilgrimage recce’ that proposals for wheelchair-accessible pilgrimages to the Calvary were set in progress, as well as Laudato Si’ Pilgrimages to other environmentally-important sacred sites within our Diocese, including the Chapel of Our Lady of the Crag and St Robert’s Cave on the banks of the River Nidd at Knaresborough.
Feel free to get in touch via environment@dioceseofleeds.org.uk and cc communications@dioceseofleeds.org.uk with suggestions for Laudato Si’ Pilgrimages in YOUR parish; your ideas will be warmly received!
These short pilgrimage routes are especially suitable for school groups and the Diocese of Leeds Faith in Action Awards.