IONA PILGRIMAGE ITINERARY
This schedule may vary slightly based on the movement of the Spirit and the needs of the community.
Day One
We begin our pilgrimage in Glasgow where we gather in the afternoon for welcome, introductions, setting our intentions and pilgrim prayers. O/N Glasgow
Day Two
We continue building our spiritual community, with a focus on contemplative pilgrimage, Celtic wisdom and small group sharing. We end this day with a Pilgrim Service of Blessing for the journey. O/N Glasgow
Day Three
We travel by bus through the beautiful Scottish countryside and arrive at Oban for a 45- minute ferry ride to the Isle of Mull. Our bus then takes us across Mull, and after another, shorter trip by ferry, we arrive on the Isle of Iona. We’ll check into the St. Columba Hotel in time for dinner and end our day with prayers in the historic Abbey. O/N Iona
Day Four
We join the Abbey community for Sunday morning worship and an optional session afterwards in the Chapter House on “What is the Iona Community?” After prayers in the Abbey tonight, we enter into the silence of the island for deepening quiet. O/N Iona
Day Five
We continue our reflections on contemplative pilgrimage and Celtic wisdom as we embrace the rhythms of the island. Guided reflections invite our awakening to the sacred in all of life. O/N Iona
Day Six
Our journey today includes a pilgrimage walk to Columba’s Bay where Columba and his fellow monks landed in 563. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch along the way. O/N Iona
Day Seven
Today we deepen our experience in the Abbey through a guided prayer walk as we lift up story, image, prayer and song in this sacred space. O/N Iona
Day Eight
This is a quiet day for solitude in community and for deepening our connection with the God of all creation. We bring this day to a close with a Contemplative Communion Service. O/N Iona
Day Nine
This day is free for us to explore the island on our own, return to favorite places or discover new ones. Tours to the Island of Staffa and Fingal’s Cave are also available for extra cost. O/N Iona
Day Ten
This morning we seek to harvest some of the spiritual treasures of this pilgrimage and then retrace our steps back to Glasgow. We will celebrate our pilgrimage journey and prepare for returning home. O/N Glasgow
Day Eleven
After breakfast, we say goodbye and begin the next chapter of our journey with a fresh sense of the new life and vision that God is seeking to birth in us and through us for the world.