A pilgrimage walk is being held within the Launceston Catholic Parish on Sunday 29 March starting at 3:00 pm. This pilgrimage is an opportunity for parishioners to seek some spiritual reflection and prayer time in God’s quiet outdoor environment, with Palm Sunday as our theme.

The pilgrimage walk will start and end at St Finn Barr’s Church in Invermay followed by an outdoor Mass at 5:30 pm.

The walk is approximately 5 km, and the pilgrimage route will follow Launceston walk trails and public reserves where possible, to minimise being close to roads and vehicular traffic. There will be a blessing and prayer at the beginning of the pilgrimage given by the pilgrim priest.

All parishioners are invited to become a pilgrim on the Palm Sunday Pilgrimage.

A route map of the pilgrimage is available on the website.

The pilgrimage walk is not recommended for those parishioners with acute medical conditions or poor mobility, as some of the route will have steps and gravel tracks. Parishioners with disabilities, who cannot participate physically due to mobility issues, can still participate in the Pilgrimage by joining in with pilgrims at the start and end.

Children under 16 years will need to be always accompanied by a responsible parent or guardian for the entire route and parental care is especially needed when crossing roads with children.

Toilet facilities are minimal on the walk routes. Public toilets are available at the churches, and the Heritage Forest picnic area.

Pilgrims undertaking the pilgrimage are responsible for their own individual health and safety and participation  is at your own risk. If you are unwell, please stay home.

Please respect each pilgrim’s privacy and space whilst on the pilgrimage walk. In the event of any inappropriate behaviour, event organisers may ask participants to leave the event.

Participating pilgrims will have the opportunity to attend Reconciliation and Mass at the end of the pilgrimage walk.

Personal equipment list required for the walk is: 

·  small backpack

·  suitable sun hat

·  sunglasses

·  appropriate walking clothes and suitable shoes

·  light raincoat

·  sunscreen

·  filled water bottle

·  healthy light snack or fruit

·  personal medication (inc. epi-pen if required)

·  deodorant

Please also carry a spare clean pair of light shoes in your backpacks to change into after the walk, to prevent soil and mud being trodden inside (should wet weather mean Mass is indoors). We request minimal mobile phone use during the pilgrimage and please place your devices on silent/vibrate.

If the weather forecast is for very inclement weather on the day of the pilgrimage event, a cancellation notice will be posted on the on the Parish Facebook (@CatholicParishLaunceston), 24 hours in advance.