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CONTEMPLATIVE PILGRIMAGES

A pilgrimage is a ritual journey with a hallowed purpose.

Every step along the way has meaning.

The pilgrim knows that life-giving challenges will emerge.

A pilgrimage is not a vacation; it is a transformational journey during which significant change takes place.

New insights are given. Deeper understanding is attained. New and old places in the heart are visited. Blessings are received and healing takes place. On return from the pilgrimage, life is seen with different eyes. Nothing will ever be quite the same again.

~Macrina Wiederkehr, Behold Your Life~

What is a Contemplative Celtic Christian Pilgrimage?

A 10-day adventure in what the Celtic Christians call "Thin Places", where the veil between heaven and earth is very thin. Where we, like Jacob (Genesis 28: 10-22), and Celtic Saints, exclaim, "Surely the Lord was in this place...."

You will be given guiding questions, scriptures, prayers for your times of solitude, silence, and contemplation. You'll hear the historical and legendary stories of the Celtic Saints who experienced God in these sacred places. We will share stories, delicious gourmet meals, laughter, and even tears as we receive the gifts of new friendships.

What previous Pilgrims said about this Pilgrimage:

"REFLECTIONS ON THE WILD EDGE OF FAITH PILGRIMAGE
Today is December 3, 2023, a little over three months since my return from
the August Wild Edge of Faith pilgrimage to Ireland with Beyond These
Shores, Charlotte and Don Ferris being the people who provide this
amazing ministry. I went on their pilgrimage to Iona, Lindisfarne, and
Durham Cathedral in August 2022, and knew immediately that I wanted to
join them in Ireland for “more of the good stuff”
.
Charlotte and Don again crafted a pilgrimage experience which was
amazing in its depth and richness. They have an uncanny ability to weave
together spiritual, geographical, historical, literary, psychological, and
physical experiences that challenge, transform, and delight pilgrims who
journey with them.
Charlotte immersed herself in research and provided
pilgrims with amazing resources of poetry, reflections, history, geography,
and pictures. Our days were structured to allow for prayer, reflection, and
also free time....Our hiking and walking journeys in these glorious
places corresponded directly to the themes of the pilgrimage and were
obviously chosen with care. The accommodations for food and lodging
were enjoyable and substantial.
Don and Charlotte help newly gathered pilgrims develop a community of
sharing, depth and caring very rapidly. The community is genuine and
respectful of personal boundaries with the result that pilgrims can feel
freedom and trust....
I am a psychotherapist/licensed clinical social worker and serve as a
vocational deacon in the Episcopal church. Charlotte and Don’s
contemplative approach to transformation of the self in relationship with
God (especially rooted in Celtic spirituality) is life-giving (wild, too) and
deepens my work and ministry daily. I am still “unpacking” the riches of this
pilgrimage and even included aspects of it in a sermon!
The parts of Ireland in which we journeyed were the perfect places to
explore the WIld Edges of Faith, inner and outer. Although we traveled as
pilgrims, we could sneak in “holy shopping” and bits of tourism here and
there. I would happily recommend a Beyond These Shores Celtic
Contemplative Pilgrimage to anyone seeking an experience of depth,
challenge, spirit, and beauty.