By Kate Gerrish
The Academic School of Nursing in Nazareth is currently marking its centenary, and what better way to commemorate this remarkable achievement and invest in the future of the nursing profession in the region than to raise funds to support student nurse scholarships? And so, during the first week in May 2025, a group of pilgrims comprising existing and new supporters of the Nazareth Trust embarked on a five-day sponsored pilgrimage traversing the beautiful countryside of the Peak District National Park in central England. A core group of four completed the whole pilgrimage with a further 12 pilgrims joining for between one and four days.
We followed the established Peak Pilgrimage route, starting at the village of Ilam and ending at Eyam, known as the ‘plague’ village, as it was here in the 1650s that the villagers sacrificially self-isolated to prevent the spread of the plague to neighbouring villages: as a result, over one third of the village population lost their lives. The 35-mile route took us along footpaths, disused railway lines, and quiet country lanes, linking churches in 12 picturesque villages. True to its name, there were peaks to climb, but also beautiful river valleys to explore and open vistas of rolling countryside. We took the opportunity as we walked through the parkland of the Chatsworth Estate to visit the impressive house and gardens. We could see why Chatsworth House provided Jane Austen with the inspiration for Mr Darcy’s Pemberley estate in Pride and Prejudice.
Our purpose was not just to raise funds for the School of Nursing, but also to engage as pilgrims on a spiritual journey to a holy place. A pilgrimage has three parts – the journey, the destination, and the return home. As we journeyed each day, we sought to let go of normal routines and be more open and receptive to God. We were blessed with sharing fellowship with each other as we walked, and in developing new friendships as people joined for different days. Our smallest group was five, and the largest, on our final day, comprised 12 pilgrims.
We visited 12 churches along our route, each one providing a Bible verse to reflect upon and a stamp to collect in our guidebook. We took the opportunity each day to share a group reflection and sing a song of praise in one of the churches we visited that day.
When we arrived at our final destination of Eyam church, we were met by the Reverend Bob Jackson, the retired vicar of Eyam, who had developed the Peak Pilgrimage route and written the guidebook. He reminded us of the opportunity we had to meet with God in the thin space between heaven and earth, and led us in a heartfelt rendition of the hymn ‘How great thou art’. Bob also reminded us that as we returned home to our daily lives, we should reflect on how our experiences of the pilgrimage had impacted us.
Whereas the pilgrimage was a spiritual journey and at times a challenging walk, it also provided the opportunity for a holiday, enjoying each other’s company, rejoicing in the beauty of God’s creation, and sampling the hospitality of cafes along the route. Our spiritual encouragement as a whole can be summed up by a blessing from Milldale Chapel:
As the hills cradle the valley floor, so may you be sheltered in God’s love for you.
As the river moves ever onwards, so may you go forward in your journey of faith.
As the moorland flowers flourish brightly, so may you show God’s joy to those around you.
May the God of all grace, light, and life, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you always. Amen
