On Day One, almost 50 pilgrims had signed up to join the six ‘Perpetual Pilgrims’ walking St Mark’s Way. Through illness and injury, some were unable to attend the special Pilgrims’ Mass at Leeds Cathedral, celebrated by the Dean, Fr Matthew Habron, with Diocesan Director of Music and Day Pilgrim, Ben Saunders, accompanying the hymn ‘To be a Pilgrim’ on the organ …
… so it was a total of 36 who set off from the Cathedral through Leeds, whilst a very kind parishioner drove the Perpetual Pilgrims’ heavy rucksacks to Wakefield (thank you, John Larkin!)
Reaching the Royal Armouries, a ‘loose cannon’ came in useful for pilgrims who had missed breakfast so were about to enjoy a ‘cracking’ early packed lunch …!
Leaving Leeds to walk the 16+ miles to Wakefield along the Aire and Calder Navigation were some familiar faces keeping us on the right path, including ‘celebrity pilgrim’ and retired Diocesan COO, Ian Burrell, who knew the route well …
The destination after the first 8 miles of towpath walking was Woodlesford …
We left a blessing here in Lourdes Holy Water for our non-Christian brethren …
… and under the M1, we discovered the work of a ‘Flyover Philosopher’!
Leaving the towpath at Woodlesford, we struck out across open country towards Wakefield …
Prayers along the pilgrim way were led by Deacon David Arblaster and Anna Larkin … and we sang Bunyan’s hymn ‘He who would valiant be…’ (‘to be a pilgrim’) as we strode along!
Each day, we give one of our Day Pilgrims the mediaeval statue of St Peter to carry…
(Watch out for ‘St Peter’s Progress’ as our roving saint is carried down the country to Nottingham!) 
At last, guided by Stephen Habron, our St Wilfrid’s Way ‘Camino Supremo’, we arrive at the Jubilee Pilgrimage Church of St Austin, Wakefield!
Greeted by Parish Priest Fr Sean Crawley, we had our pilgrim passports stamped, the Day Pilgrims went home … and the Perpetual Pilgrims stayed to stagger another day………..
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