What's at the heart of Pilgrimage?

At the heart of the longing of all pilgrims lies the hope and dream that, by travelling to a special place associated with the divine they might somehow be changed and renewed.

(Rekindling the Flame, Solas Bridhe in Kildare)

When you travel or go on a pilgrimage

A new silence

goes with you

and if you listen

You will hear

What your heart would love to say.,

A journey can become a sacred thing.

John O'Donohue

I am not sure whether people on the pilgrim paths like the Camino de Santiago take a few days to get into the rhythm of silence and the meaning of their journey. I am sure that it has taken me a while to move through the practicalities of travel to listen to the silence and hear what my heart want's to say. My journey is becoming a sacred thing and I know that Iona, Holy Island and John O'Donohue's wild landscapes have cumulatively been bringing me home - back to myself.