Author Archives: northernpilgrimthoughts

The road will feel longer and the nights a lot quieter without Damien for company.

Damien was a true friend because he joined you in being enthusiastic about whatever it was you cared about and his passion meant that his interests always seemed fascinating to you, too.

Nobody had a bad word for Damien

I knew Damien for more than 40 years. He was a constant example of how to make the absolute best of what he had been given, how to put others ahead of himself without it ever seeming like a sacrifice, and how to bring everyone around him into the warm circular glow of his love for the things he loved.

Thank You Damien

Damien Sweeney(1958-2025) Last Monday we lost our great friend and faithful pilgrim, Damien Sweeney. He died very unexpectedly at home in Leicester. Over these days a profound sense of grief and shock is sweeping over our community. Damien first walked Student Cross in 1979, joining Northern Leg in 1991 and thereafter walking every year upContinue reading “Thank You Damien”

Summer reflections from the North

It’s four months since I returned home from Northern Leg of Pilgrim Cross. What has stayed with me from the week? First of all, challenge and change. Challenge from the walking itself, from the (relatively minor) discomforts of sleeping on church hall floors, from the inevitable frictions entailed in the creation of an intentional communityContinue reading “Summer reflections from the North”

Register now for Northern Pilgrim 2019

Online registration is now open for Northern Pilgrim 2019. studentcross.org.uk/Northern The next edition of our pilgrimage will take place from the evening of Friday 12th to Sunday 21st April. Over seven days we will be walking from Keyworth in Nottinghamshire to Walsingham in Norfolk, a distance of about 120 miles (200km). We hope to welcomeContinue reading “Register now for Northern Pilgrim 2019”