The Pilgrim's Road at Lindisfarne

The trek across the sands, as we saw in the previous page, is a very difficult one.

Nevertheless, walking across the Pilgrim's Road is a powerful experience in which one feels the commonality with creation so much at the heart of Celtic spirituality.

Looking down in the sands, one can see the footprints of past pilgrims,

the remnants of the sea and its creatures;

one walks with the birds, the wind and the sea.

Most of all, one learns a lesson about life on the Pilgrim's Road. As one struggles for each step fiercely trying to reach the other side, one learns that some things in life are really worth fighting for, no matter how hard the fight. One learns that some things are really worth reaching, even though each step may be a struggle. Sometimes the winds of life push one forward; sometimes they push one backwards. And still the struggle goes on, for one must reach the other side lest one be totally engulfed by the tides. Sometimes no matter how tired one is one must keep fighting -- there may be no refuge tower in sight.

Sometimes the road seems to be infinitely long, with no end in sight.

The author's footprints from the way out and the way back!

While walking on the Pilgrim's Road, one may be surprised to meet oneself in the struggle, just as in life, difficult times may force one to be more introspective and to grow closer to the Divine. Through the struggle, one may come to know one's limitations more fully, and one's need for grace, as represented by the Holy Island.

The Pilgrim's Road teaches one that no matter how far-off one's goal is, there comes a time when one comes near to it and even reaches it, and one finds warm fires and food waiting to nourish the body after a brutal trek in the cold winds and wet sea breeze.

The End of Pilgrim's Road Approaching the Holy Island

The Pilgrim's Road is everyone's road, everyone's life's struggle. When walking it, we may share with others our life's pilgrimage; together, we may reach the end not just of this road, but of our life, and we, too, may find the warm embrace which we all seek.

Marker at the end of the Pilgrim's Road. What and where are the markers in our lives? What do they mark?

The Pilgrim's Road has attracted many throughout its history. Thousands of pilgrims came in 1987 to celebrate 1300th anniversary of Cuthbert's death, and the Holy Island fills each day with pilgrims who come to visit the home of Aidan and Cuthbert.

Close out this window to return to the virtual tour of Lindisfarne. If you accidentally closed out the original window, you may also click on the link below.

Continue to next page: Decline, Wanderings, and Reestablishment of Lindisfarne