Churches welcome celebrities on pilgrimage

Churches along the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way are anticipating a surge of interest following the return of BBC's Pilgrimage series. Set amidst the stunning landscapes of North Wales, "Pilgrimage: The Road to Wild Wales," is scheduled to premiere on Good Friday. Viewers can expect to see familiar faces, as clergy from North Wales took part in the making of the series.

The programme promises an exploration of faith and spirituality as seven personalities, representing diverse beliefs, embark on a modern-day pilgrimage along the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way. The pilgrimage route, established in 2011, offers a blend of ancient churches and holy wells dedicated to early saints, with Bardsey Island - known as the 'Island of 20,000 saints' - as its final destination.

The Revd Eryl Parry, Pioneer Priest based in the Conwy Valley and Chaplain on Bardsey, met the pilgrims as they travelled to the remote hilltop church of St Celynnin, above Conwy, one of the oldest churches in Wales.

“Langelynnin is often described as a thin place where heaven touches earth,” explains Eryl. Dating back to the 12th Century, Llangelynnin is situated next to a 6th Century holy well and is a popular stopping-off place for pilgrims on the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way. It is at this holy place that Eryl organises monthly Celtic Praise services between April and October. This year each service explores the theme of pilgrimage.

Eryl continues, “We hope that this BBC Pilgrimage series will help people discover afresh the deep spirituality embedded in our Welsh landscape.

“I felt privileged to spend time with those God brought to Llangelynnin for the programme, right through from the pilgrims to production team. They had the chance to explore Llangelynnin for themselves before I led them on a contemplative walk to a viewing point.

“Often on pilgrimage, we can have the experience of God speaking through our conversations with one another, but I find times of stillness in stopping places can become really significant. They are what we call ‘Ponder Spots’ – when God can guide our minds and touch our hearts as we reflect on what we have seen and heard. That is when the inner journey can truly begin."

For Eryl, the programme coincides with the start of their Celtic Praise pilgrimage season, “For us, it could not be aired at a better time and we are anticipating a renewed interest in ancient routes and places as people realise they can connect with God on pilgrimage in North Wales.

“Our own 2024 series of services begins at sunrise on Easter Day. From then on, every third Sunday until October, we have the joy of ‘Celtic Praise’ and will once again welcome a wide range of people seeking to deepen faith or just beginning that journey of encounter, into a place of God’s generous hospitality. We always say “here, you will never sit in anyone else’s seat.”

The pilgrimage begins at Flint Castle, situated in the Diocese of St Asaph, on the banks of the Dee Estuary. From there, the pilgrims embark on their 220km adventure along the North Wales Pilgrim's Way, traversing through the picturesque landscapes of North Wales. As they progress, the pilgrims encounter challenging paths and climbs, navigating the foothills of majestic mountain ranges. Their route leads them into the Diocese of Bangor, where they are joined by three priests from the Bangor Diocese, adding a spiritual dimension to their journey.

“Once you go on pilgrimage you never really come off it,” says Chris Potter, the former Dean of St Asaph and one of the creators of the North Wales Pilgrims Way, who was a consultant on the programme. “You start a journey and your eyes start opening and then everything about life becomes a journey.

“Pilgrimage is both bliss and blisters. You’ve got to learn to take what comes. It’s an astonishing sensation that in this day of always scrolling through your phone or getting in your car, just to leave all that and to just walk is stunning.”

Reflecting on the making of the series, Chris says, “All seven pilgrims seem to have been very moved, actually, by the whole experience. They certainly bonded together as a group and they all got a lot out of it. It was a very moving and interesting time.

“The volunteer team behind the Pilgrim’s Way are very excited indeed and to have the route appearing nationally and internationally on television is very exciting.”

Two other priests from the Diocese of Bangor also had the opportunity to meet the celebrity pilgrims along the route.

Canon Dr Rosie Dymond, Ministry Area Leader, met the group at the pilgrimage site of Clynnog Fawr in Gwynedd, where the holy well near St Beuno’s Church was said to have healing properties. At the fishing village of Aberdaron, historically the last stop for pilgrims on the way to Ynys Enlli, the Revd Rhun ap Robert shared the spiritual significance of St Hywyn’s Church, a rest stop for pilgrims on their way to Ynys Enlli.

Among the personalities undertaking this spiritual odyssey are wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan, entrepreneur Spencer Matthews, journalist Sonali Shah, comedian Eshaan Akbar, actor Tom Rosenthal, and TV personality Christine McGuinness. Each participant brings their own perspective and journey of faith to the expedition, adding layers of depth and introspection to the narrative.

• Visit Taith Pererin Gogledd Cymru ~ North Wales Pilgrim's Way (pilgrims-way-north-wales.org) for information about the route.
• For more information about Llangelynnin’s pilgrimage season, visit: caruconwy.com – Serving Conwy Town and Valley, North Wales. Changing lives with love.