This is a very good question. Like most things in life there are several reasons for why someone does what they do. Here are my reasons for going on this Pilgrimage of Hope and why I have chosen to do it the way I have.

For several years now I was hoping to walk a pilgrimage in the name of Justice, Peace and Reconciliation from Chepstow where I live to Jerusalem. I have been involved in promoting the cause of justice for the Palestinian people and my greatest desire is to see Palestine and Israel find a peace with each other based of justice for the Palestinians as equals. Since the escalation in the conflict after October 7th and all that is happening in this region I am aware that this pilgrimage will have to wait.

I was inspired to walk this Pilgrimage of Hope to Rome by Pope Francis declaring the Jubilee year of 2025 to be on the theme of Pilgrims of Hope. I have been thinking a lot about hope, what it is, what it means to live as people of hope and what it would be to live without hope.

One of my mentors in the way for Jesus is Dr Cornell West, who describes himself as a “Prisoner of Hope” and I have come to adopt this description for myself. I am not an optimist, as the reality of the evidence about the state of the world does not support optimism, but I refuse to give into despair. So the only option is to do the work of hope. To live and create the world I wish to see despite any forces against my efforts. To work towards a world of Love, Justice, Peace and Reconciliation everywhere and for everyone, not just for all humans, but for animals and creation.

This is why I have chosen to lean into this Jubilee year and to go on my own Pilgrimage of Hope. This is why I am choosing to walk this pilgrimage as free from material comforts and security as possible in this time in history. This is why I am choosing not to take any money to sustain myself, but to trust in the kindness of others who I will meet along the way.

In order to build this hoped for world of Love, Justice, Peace and Reconciliation, we need to learn to trust the inherent goodness of others. We cannot build this future world without reconnecting with others, building relationships and sharing the vision for what we would like to create. By not being self-sufficient and needing to rely on others for my survival, I will need to form these relationships. In the Western world we have prompted materialism, consumerism and individualism, which cocoons in our own little bubble of disconnection from others and gives us the false illusion that we are self-sufficient and not in need of others.

I am aware that just going on Pilgrimage may not seem to make much of a change to the world; I am just some insignificant person on a long walk after all. But it is my hope that the pilgrimage will change me, change the people I meet and form relationships with, inspire others to work for Hope and not to despair. History is filled with those who have dared to take action and they have changed the world. They have never changed it on their own, but have always inspired and drawn others, and it is the many who have affected change.

Two of my greatest inspirations of people who have dared to act in hope of a better future are Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi. Both seemingly insignificant people, but able to inspire millions with the vision for a better and more just world.

So this why I walk this Pilgrimage of Hope. I hope you will join me from wherever you are in working towards a better tomorrow.