An Anchor for the Soul
Iona Pilgrimage
At-Home Zoom Meetings: To be determined
On Iona, Scotland: May 19-27, 2026
Join Pilgrimage Leaders Bill Stone, Carole Crumley, and Jackson Droney at home, on Zoom, and in person on the sacred island of Iona.
Experience the spiritual treasures of Iona and our pilgrimage community, while drawing on Celtic wisdom and vision for new life and fresh possibilities.
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Application information coming soon.
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Iona, a sacred island off the West coast of Scotland, is only three miles long and a mile and a half wide. According to geologists, the rocks on Iona are among the oldest on Earth, some 2.7 billion years old. On these ancient rocks, Columba and a small cohort of fellow monks arrived on Pentecost Day in 563. They discovered a wild and beautiful place battered by strong tides and fierce winds, yet also a safe haven where they could anchor their souls and live into the promise of new beginnings.
Today, Iona continues to be an anchor for one’s soul. Its simplicity and beauty nourish the pilgrim heart. Vibrant worship services in the iconic Abbey deepen confidence in God’s presence and goodness in all of life. The ancient rocks steady hopes and inspire visions of new possibilities. Columba and other Celtic saints offer their wisdom and guidance as we follow their footsteps and embrace a world woven together in love.
We begin our pilgrimage at home with three gatherings on Zoom, using this time to build our spiritual community. Our sessions will include introductions to each other, setting our intentions for the journey and deepening our understanding of contemplative pilgrimage. We will also touch on Celtic vision and wisdom for daily living. Our at-home gatherings end with a Pilgrim Service of Blessing for the Journey.
When we gather in person on Iona, we will have times of prayer and reflection, while experiencing plenary and small group times for deeper listening and opening to God’s spirit. There will be opportunities to participate in the worship life of the Abbey, as well as guided pilgrimage walks in the Abbey and across the island to Columba’s Bay. You also will have ample free time for exploring on your own, and a quiet day for deepening trust in the mystery of divine Presence. In our own Contemplative Communion Service, we will celebrate a renewed heart-confidence that God is birthing a new life and vision in us, and through us, a blessing for the world.
“I appreciated the slow, prayerful time together as community and in nature. The plenary sessions and lectures were incredible and life changing. This pilgrimage has brought me deep healing.”
-Past Pilgrim
PILGRIMAGE LEADERS
COST
$4500 per person (double occupancy)
$550 single room supplement
APPLY NOW
Check back soon for application information.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Christine (Chris) Jeffrey is the Registrar for the Iona Pilgrimage and can be contacted at chris@shalem.org.