Walk for Hope
[FR]
SCHIMMERT, the Netherlands - As part of the Holy Year and the 2025 National Open House for Monasteries, we held a Walk for Hope on Saturday, May 24. With the theme "What gives you hope?", this pilgrimage started at our monastery in Schimmert and ended at our community in Vroenhof.
Led by a pilgrimage staff adorned with a wooden statue of Mary, Our Lady of the Way, we walked in pairs, sharing with one another the meaning of hope in our lives — what gives us hope, where it comes from, and how we can pass it on to others in a world marked by unrest and anxiety caused by violence, war, and other humanitarian crises.
Along the way, we stopped at Marian chapels for moments of reflection. At each stop, we listened to an inspirational reading on hope, followed by a time of peaceful silence in the open air. These quiet moments opened space for heart to heart conversations, where each pilgrim could freely share their personal thoughts and experiences. Montfortian confreres also shared what hope means in their religious lives as Montfortians, offering pilgrims a glimpse into our spirituality. These sharing sessions turned out to be deeply enriching and touching for everyone involved. By listening and sharing, we strengthened one another — for hope grows stronger when it is shared. Each reflection moment concluded with a prayer of intercession through Mary, accompanied by the singing of the 2025 Jubilee Hymn: Pilgrims of Hope.
Before enjoying lunch together in Vroenhof, the pilgrimage closed with a group reflection on the Jubilee Year logo, the offering of prayers from the faithful, and a final blessing at the Marian grotto behind our monastery. Each participant was then invited to light a candle and spend a moment in personal prayer.
This was the first time we organized such an event — a hopeful beginning in our search for new ways to carry out our mission. To our surprise, a good number of people took part, both young and old. They came not only from nearby areas but also from other regons. This aligns with our hope that these missionary activities will reach beyond parish boundaries and inspire people to live out their faith in their own communities. The next Walk for Hope is planned for October.
Charles Leta, SMM
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