Bishop Tor Singsaas joins

A big welcome to Bishop Tor Singsaas of Nidaros (Trondheim) and the pupils from Voll skole in Rennebu who joined our walk from Meslo toward Hæverstølen 27 April. Thanks, everyone!
You can see our photos and read our diary by clicking on the links to the right. Please scroll down to read the bishop's entry from 27 April.

Pupils from Voll skole joined  the Bishop of Nidaros (to the left with the pilgrim staff)
and Børge Dahle on the way to Hæverstølen

Bishop Tor Singsaas (and Olav) enjoys a well deserved rest at Hæverstølen after having walked 20 kilometers from Meslo. 

Vandringen Pilgrims Crossing Borders, som går fra Nidaros til Jerusalem, er i full gang 
(Kilde: kirken.no/Nidaros bispedømme/Nyheter)

We're On Our Way

L-R: Håkon Gullvåg presents the altarpiece to Einar and Stein.
Photo by Steinar Larsen

The first day of our pilgrim relay was a wonderful experience. The service of sending in Nidaros Cathedral was an extraordinary event - filled with music by The Trondheim Soloists and The Schola Sanctae Sunnivae, musicians who will accompany our walk in Rome and also in Jerusalem. We felt truly blessed and moved by the ceremony as well as the music.

The Norwegian painter Håkon Gullvåg – who has won recognition for his ecclesiastical commissions – donated a portable altarpiece to the pilgrimage (see photos). Pilgrim Pastor Einar Vegge will carry the middle section of the altarpiece on the first part of the pilgrimage.

Photos by Roger Jensen, Siv Smedseng, Stein Thue, Einar Vegge and Pilgrims Crossing Borders

L-R: Einar, Stein and Steinar

L-R: Einar. Lucina, Stein, Steinar and Giovanni

Wiebke, Einar, Stein, Christel, Steinar and Wolfgang

In the spotlight: Pilgrim Veteran Steinar Pettersen from Kiel

Håkon helps Einar

We are ready to go

Vigdis hands over the pilgrim staff to Einar

Priests with a Purpose

Wolfgang stepping out

Ready pilgrims oh the first stage toward Rome. Bodil from Denmark, Giovanni and Lucina from Italy plus Wiebke, Steinar, Wolfgang and Christel from Germany joined us, a bunch of  Norwegian pilgrims with high hopes and expectations.
Photo by Roger Jensen.

Giovanni is well equipped for Norway's climate

Lucina and Giovanni on their first stage on the way to Oslo. Bravo and brava Italia!

The first entries in our diary...

Løper i gang pilegrimsstafett fra Trondheim til Jerusalem (Artikkel Vårt Land 21 April 2015)

We are ready to begin

Nidaros Cathedral.
Photo by Carl-Erik Eriksson (c)

Our pilgrim relay begins in Trondheim on Wednesday the 22nd of April 2015. There will be a pilgrims' service in Nidaros Cathedral at 11:00 am to mark the occasion.

Tormod Tvete Vik's composition dedicated to our pilgrimage will be performed for the first time by The Trondheim Soloists and Schola Sanctae Sunnivae. The composition is inspired by hymns from the countries that vthe pilgrims will walk through: Norway, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Italy, Palestine and Israel. This composition will also be played to celebrate the pilgrims' arrival in Rome and Jerusalem in October.

The bells of Nidaros Cathedral will toll to salute the departing pilgrims on their first lap. All are welcome to attend the pilgrims’ service at 11:00 am. The pilgrims' departure will take place right after the church service at 12 noon from “nullsteinen” by the west front of the cathedral.

Program for the pilgrims' church service Wednesday 22 April in Nidaros Cathedral:

• Norsk tekst
• English text

Cultural Connections

'In the Beginning', painting by Håkon Gullvåg.
Click to enlarge

The purpose of our pilgrimage is to build friendship, engage in dialogue and cross borders literally and metaphorically. The walk will symbolize diversity and solidarity, and participants from different religious denominations are invited to walk together. Cultural events will be organized along the way. The renowned Norwegian painter Håkon Gullvåg – who has won recognition for his ecclesiastical commissions – donates a portable altarpiece to the pilgrimage.

A quartet from The Trondheim Soloists (Trondheimsolistene) will give concerts for the pilgrims during the events in Norway 22nd April, in Rome 15th October and in Jerusalem 25th and 26th October.

The Schola Sanctae Sunnivae Choir – an ensemble seeking to preserve the heritage of Norwegian Gregorian chant – will perform together with the Trondheim Soloists and local musicians when the pilgrims arrive in Ramallah and Jerusalem.

Tormod Tvete Vik's composition dedicated to the pilgrimage will be performed for the first time by the Trondheim Soloists and the Schola Sanctae Sunnivae in Nidaros Cathedral 22 April. The composition is inspired by hymns from the countries the pilgrims will walk through: Norway, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Italy, Palestine and Israel. The composition will also be played to celebrate the pilgrims' arrival in Rome and Jerusalem in October.

Dates and details will follow on this blog. Check out our itineraries to find out more

International Dialogue

Pilgrims Crossing Borders Rallying in Rome

We believe that an international collaboration such as this will create international dialogue and fraternisation. We also want the pilgrim walk to be based on values such as hospitality, tolerance, dialogue, solidarity, human rights and peace. In this way we hope to include participants from all sorts of backgrounds to meet, walk and talk together. We want to tie bonds and build friendship, crossing boundaries both literally and metaphorically. Being a pilgrim means becoming a "stranger” so as to gain insight and understanding. Our walk should symbolise diversity and togetherness, and everyone is welcome to join, regardless of religious denomination.

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