Pilgrimage Pathways: Capturing Light in Reflection on WWI

Art & Remembrance across Northern France and Belgium

Travel Dates: 3 July – 13 July 2018

WORLD WAR I – fought between 1914 and 1918 – was a conflict on an epic scale and left an indelible mark on the collective memory of the countries forever changed in the course of history.

This twelve-day pilgrimage explores the intertwined concepts of Light and Hope as we are called together by God to be sisters and brothers in faith. It is a beautiful and a demanding calling. Our Archbishop Justin Welby put it in memorable terms in a recent sermon. “The vocation of a Christian community, he said, is to give people an opportunity to recognise two things: (i) the complexity of each other; and (ii) the simplicity of seeking to put Christ at the centre of everything.” On this hundredth anniversary of the war to end all wars, our pilgrim conclave travels through France and Belgium equally encountering strangers and witnesses in remembrance of that lost generation of young men, and in celebration of the generation upon generation of art and architecture that buoys us through times of war and peace.

This is a momentous year with the dawn of the 100th anniversary of 1918, and the remembrance of The Great War. We shall explore the battlefields, churches and monuments honoring the end of WWI and the glorious brave who fought. We shall also ponder exquisite art, music and culture in the cathedrals of Strasbourg, Reims, Amiens, Beauvais, Bruges and Ghent, as well as chapels at Ronchamp and Chantilly.

This twelve-day pilgrimage shall cost $4200 (an all-inclusive package of everything except certain  lunches, international air-travel and insurance), and a $700 single-fee. This Itinerary does include a $300 tax-deductible donation to Canterbury Cathedral.

Our ancient faith calls us to encounter the contemporary world through friendships formed across these native lands of culture, history and religion. To express interest or obtain further details, please contact Matthew Corkern by email mtlc101@gmail.com or call 908-277-1814. All Pilgrimages sponsored by the trustees of the Friends of Canterbury Cathedral in the United States, with special donations given.