Watermead Pilgrimages
"Walking alongside, praying and eating with other pilgrims I found I connected on a personal level with many of my travelling companions, learning much about the various cultural traditions and experiences of Church and life. A very blessed time"
(from a Watermead Pilgrim).
The Covid Pandemic interrupted all our planning for 2020 - 2023. However, we did manage three pilgrimages during this time - one to Cardiff (Fr John's home city) and when we were able to return to international travel we travelled to Stresa in August 2021 and Rome in 2022. We have now confirmed Rome and Assisi in November 2023
and plans have resumed tentatively for 2023-24 dependent on interest and commitment.
Check out our EVENTS DIARY
for details of what we are hoping to arrange for and contact us if you are interested - but do note that it is important to first read all the conditions of traveling with us.
Pilgrims are invited to share photos through our Facebook Group - a closed group that all who come with us on pilgrimage are welcome to join. Click on the above icon and request to join., giving details of your connection with our pilgrimages.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Watermead Apostolate is not licensed by ATOL or affiliated to any other travel organisations. We are totally independent. We are simply facilitating arrangements (as requested by Fr John Daley) making it possible for an extended family community to travel together on pilgrimage. People are welcome to join us, but only on the understanding that they are responsible for their own travel insurances - THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT CONDITION OF TRAVELLING WITH US. Proof of travel insurance (policy numbers and providers, along with expiry date) is required on confirmation of booking and people are advised to make sure that "Travel Disruption Cover"
is included in the policy.
It is important to note that is now a requirement for all who would like to travel with us is that they are up-to-date with all the Covid vaccinations available to them. There will also be other conditions that will be notified at the time of confirming pilgrimage places.
Please also be aware that, although we keep the prices as low as possible, we work with small margins and so fluctuations in the exchange rate sometimes require slight adjustments to first advertised prices.
During his years as a priest Father John has taken many parish groups on pilgrimage to various places in Europe - Rome, Assisi, Padua, Stresa, Lourdes, Lisieux, Malta - visiting many other nearby cities on route (Venice, Florence, Sienna, Bayeux, etc), when travelling by coach in country of destination.
Watermead assists with the arrangement for the pilgrimages by looking after the necessary bookings and administration.
Background Story
It all began in 1978 when Father John’s superior asked him to lead a pilgrimage to Stresa in Northern Italy for the celebration the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Institute of Charity (the Rosminians). “Stresa” became a coach tour from South Wales - Luxembourg, Lucerne, Stresa, and then Florence, Rome, Assisi and Venice. A wonderful two weeks. His Father Superior suggested pilgrimage could become a regular part of parish life - people of the Church and their friends travelling together for holiday and pilgrimage. He encouraged Father John to continue.
Over the years organising such pilgrimages, especially to Rome, have been a regular part of Father John’s year. Sometimes Travel Agencies have done the planning, but in recent years Father John was encouraged to do his own planning directly with hotels and coach companies. This has allowed costs to be kept low and made pilgrimage available to many more people. There have been no problems, anymore than a family would know in planning their holidays.
Thus there has been no need to register with recognised travel agency associations. Each person coming with us takes out personal travel insurance, in the usual way, and thus is covered for loss by cancellation. Our pilgrimages are like a very large family going away together.
MALTA
The beginnings
Some years ago at our Council of Churches we spoke of the people who find it difficult to go on holiday – they live alone, they lack confidence to make bookings, they have no one to travel with. We planned a low-cost holiday that could include everyone, thought of somewhere warm we might go in the colder weather – and came up with Malta!
It was a wise choice. The pilgrimage/holiday went very well and friendships were formed that have enriched our Council of Churches. We now go each year, usually late January or early February.
It is a wonderful winter break and our friend in Malta, Joanne Spiteri, always makes the bookings for us, arranges trips and tours, and gives us an insight into the islands of Malta
and Gozo
that she and her late father, Victor, love. (Victor was our first contact in Malta and a wonderful host and friend over many years).
(Joanne pictured with her father, Victor, offering pilgrims a taste of Gozo’s famous goats’ cheese)
Visiting Malta
We are based in Sliema
in a fine hotel overlooking the sea. The food is excellent in quality and variety – and the full breakfast in the restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean provides a perfect start to the days that offer so much – Malta’s fascinating history, the ancient capital city of Mdina, the vibrant modern capital, Valetta, the many lovely churches, the fishing villages, Blue Grotto, Crafts Village, ancient temple sites, the harbour, the docks, and the celebration of mass together each day.
The week is as relaxed or as busy as we choose to make it. Tours together give an overview of where we might go and there is plenty of time to do our own exploring. The weather is springtime, days warm and evenings cool – enjoyable strolls along the promenade to St Julian’s
or down to the harbour and the shops (many familiar English ones) always pleasant in the sea breezes.
Malta Friendships
Over the years we have made many friends in Malta, and especially the family at Matthew's Cafe, in Marsaxlokk
(Port of the South), a small traditional fishing village in the South Eastern Region of Malta. The harbour is a tourist attraction known for its views, fishermen, history and large market. After taking in the views, boats and the various market stalls (where we also have made friends) we are ready a drink, bowl of chips, soups, snacks, or even a fresh fish full meal at Matthew's, where the family always make us very welcome.
The Island of Gozo
We usually have a trip on the ferry to visit Malta's sister Island of Gozo,
and, whilst there, the beautiful church and shrine of Ta' Pinu,
where Fr John very often has the opportunity to celebrate mass.
In 1883 a woman from the village of Għarb, Karmni Grima, heard the voice of Our Lady at the small chapel that was then on this site. It rapidly became a centre of pilgrimage and the number of visitors soon overwhelmed the little church. Today’s church, built between 1920 and 1931, is a minor basilica and a monumental shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Ta' Pinu.
It is a beautiful decorated and peaceful church and inside are displayed the various items and letters of appreciation sent from around the world from those who have been helped through their prayer to Our Lady of Ta' Pinu.
LOURDES
The most known Catholic Shrine
Lourdes
is endlessly fascinating. The constant round of daily activities, the opportunity for private and community prayer, the meeting with pilgrims from around the world, the spiritual atmosphere – all contribute to make a perfect holiday-pilgrimage.
The structure of the pilgrim’s day is simple: attending Mass, the Blessed Sacrament Procession
in the afternoon and the Torchlight Procession
in the evening. Around these community prayers there are plenty of opportunity for private devotions – Stations of the Cross,
Lighting of Candles , attending the Baths, going to Confession, visiting quiet chapels for prayer. The contrast between the peace of the chapels and the bustle of the streets is always refreshing and a constant reminder of why pilgrims come to Lourdes. Lourdes is small and you can see around it a number of times in the course of a few days.
St Bernadette
The Bernadette story absorbs all who visit. Her birth and young years at the Boly Mill, the parish church and
nearby school, the sadness of the “Cachot”
prison house, the Maison Paternelle
when more prosperous days returned, and always the peace of the Domaine with the Grotto
– which draw us to their legacy of prayer, inviting us to leave our prayer there, also. It is a blessed experience.
Lourdes Town is also well worth visiting - the Parish Church where Bernadette was baptised, the market, the shops - and on the way to the town there is the centre for devotion to the Miraculous Medal.
Our hotel in Lourdes
Lourdes Official Sanctuary website
LISIEUX
And another French Shrine
Lisieux
is a town in the Normandy
region of north western France. It is the capital of the Pays d'Auge
area, characterised by valleys and hedged farmland. Since the Middle Ages Lisieux has been the seat of one of the seven Roman Catholic dioceses of Normandy
under the province of Rouen
and was merged with Bayeux
in 1855, under the new name of "Bayeux and Lisieux". The best-known of the Bishops of Lisieux is Pierre Cauchon, who had a decisive influence during the trial of Joan of Arc
and is buried in Lisieux Cathedral. Devotion to St Thérèse of Lisieux, who lived in the nearby Carmelite
convent has made Lisieux France's second-most important site of pilgrimage, after the Pyrenean town of Lourdes.
Visit the Shrine of St Therese
Whilst staying in Lisieux we also managed to visit Bayeux
and the famous tapestry, along with the Caen Memorial Museum, the sad war cemeteries and Normandy beaches with their memorials to the D-Day landings, a key event in the liberation of Europe during the Second World War. We also managed a trip to Honfleur
and its famous St Catherine's church with its upside boat ceiling.
St Thérèse of Lisieux
St Thérèse, born Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin
(1873 –1897), also known as St Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, was a French Catholic Discalced Carmelite
nun who is widely venerated in modern times. She is popularly known as "The Little Flower of Jesus",
or simply "The Little Flower"
know for her simplicity and practicality in her approach to the spiritual life. Together with St Francis of Assisi, she is one of the most popular saints in the history of the church and was declared a Doctor of the Church
by Pope John Paul II in 1997.
Although now based at St Joseph's parish the Watermead Apostolate began at the church of St Thérèse of Lisieux.
ROME
The heart of Christendom
We always now visit Rome
in November and this has proved a wonderful time of year for us to go. Our experience has mostly been of weather like our early autumn - warm days and cool evenings - making walking around the city far more appealing than in the summer months of the year.
Rome as a city is always bustling and lively, but in November streets are not as crowded as in the popular tourist months. Also, security has become more prevalent in recent years - hence there are long queues for the most popular sights and attractions (especially St Peter’s
and the Vatican). In November the queues are not so long, making far more places available to us.
Our location in Rome
We have stayed at various hotels and convents, but for many years we stayed at the Hotel Conciliazione
on the Borgo Pio, five minutes walk from the Vatican
and St Peter's Square. A very bustling street where we have made many friends in the restaurants and religious gifts' shops and have obtained many items for our Watermead Gifts Shop.
Visit the Hotel Conciliazione
In 2015 the family that owned the Hotel Conciliazione retired and sold the business, which was modernised and upgraded to a four star hotel. Although it was sad to say goodbye to the many hotel staff whom had become good friends over the years, the new management team have been equally friendly and accommodating and we continue to stay there for our November pilgrimages.
ASSISI
St Francis & St Clare
Assisi
is one of our favourites pilgrimage destinations and has become a popular request by our returning pilgrims. We aim to book for Assisi every other year as a a two centre pilgrimage, usually combined with Rome: from the hustle and bustle and grandeur of Rome
to the peace and tranquility of Assisi with its inspiring story of St Francis
and St Clare.
Our usual Hotel in Assisi
Both Francis and Clare are buried in Assisi, Francis in the Basilica of San Francesco
(pictured) at one end of the city, and Clare in the Basilica of Santa Chiara
at the other. In Santa Chiara
it is also possible to pray in front of the crucifix which spoke to Francis in San Damiano.
St Francis
Saint Francis of Assisi
(1181/1182 – 1226), was an Italian Catholic friar, deacon and preacher. He founded the men's Order of Friars Minor, the women's Order of Saint Clare, the Third Order of Saint Francis
and the Custody of the Holy Land
and is one of the most venerated religious figures in history. He is one Patron saint of Italy and later became associated with patronage of animals and the natural environment and is credited with establishing the nativity crib scene.
(This picture is taken from a fresco on the wall of The Basilica of St Francis, unfortunately destroyed during an earthquake in 1997).
St Clare
Saint Clare of Assisi
(1194 – 1253), is one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan
tradition, and wrote their Rule of Life - the first set of monastic guidelines known to have been written by a woman. Following her death, the order she founded was renamed in her honour as the Order of Saint Clare, commonly referred to today as the Poor Clares.
PADUA
Another Franciscan Pilgrimage
Padua
is a city in Northern Italy’s Veneto
region. It’s known for the frescoes by Giotto
in its Scrovegni Chapel
from 1303–05 and the enormous 13th century Basilica of St Anthony. The basilica, with its Byzantine-style domes and notable artworks, contains St Anthony of Padua's tomb.
Our Pilgrim hotel in Padua
In Padua's old town are arcaded streets and stylish cafes frequented by students of the University of Padua, established in 1222 and boasts the first woman to obtain a degree (Elena Lucrezia Corner Piscopia). The city is only about half hour by train from Venice
and also easy travelling distance to Verona
and Lake Gardaandthe Italian Alps, all of which have been amongst our visits when staying in Padua.
St Anthony
St. Anthony of Padua
is one of the Catholic Church’s most popular saints. He is the patron saint of lost and stolen articles and is also often portrayed holding the child Jesus. He was born in in Lisbon, Portugal
in 1195, 13 years after St. Francis) and among the Franciscans he is celebrated as a powerful preacher and teacher. He was the first teacher in the Franciscan Order, given the special approval and blessing of St. Francis to instruct his brother Franciscans.
Visit St Anthony's Shrine
STRESA
A Rosminian Pilgrimage
Fr John is a member of a religious order, the Institute of Charity (IC), nicknamed the Rosminians
after their founder Antonio Rosmini.
In 2017 we arranged our first pilgrimage to Stresa, a resort town on Italy’s Lake Maggiore
where Antonio Rosmini spent his final years and is buried. Landmark buildings include Villa Pallavicino, with its gardens and zoo, and the Grand Hôtel des Îles Borromées, where author Ernest Hemingway
once stayed. Boats run from the waterfront to the Borromean Islands, home to palazzos, villas, a fishing port and the Museum of Dolls and Toys. Overlooking the lake, Monte Mottarone
features a bobsled rollercoaster and botanic gardens.
Our hotel in Stresa
Antonio Rosmini
Antonio Rosmini-Serbati
(1797-1855), was born 24 March 1797, at Rovereto, in the Austrian Tyrol. He studied at the University of Padua, and was ordained priest at Chioggia, in 1821 and received a Doctorate in Theology and Canon Law the following year. In 1828 at Monte Calvario
near Domodossola, he founded the Institute of Charity and from 1834 to 1835 had charge of a parish at Rovereto
with later foundations of the Institute at Stresa
and Domodossola. So our pilgrimage to Stresa
was to be primarily to walk in the footsteps of Rosmini and explore the area where his unique spirituality was birthed, before spreading through Italy and to England amongst other countries. Rosmini was a pioneer of social justice, and a key figure in Italian Liberal Catholicism. He was beatified on 18th November, 2007, in Novara, Italy.
The spirit of the Rosminian community is strongly characterised by the belief that God speaks through people in a variety of ways, according to the abilities and gifts of each person - a concept adopted by our own Watermead Apostolate.
MONTECATINI
This was a new venue for us in September 2019, a two-centre pilgrimage with Assisi, and was chosen to facilitate visiting Florence
and Pisa.
It was a successful choice which we hope sometime to be able to repeat.
Montecatini
Montecatini Terme
is in the province of Pistoia, Tuscany, central Italy known for the art nouveau Parco delle Terme spa complex. It is the most important centre in Valdinievole. The town is located at the eastern end of Piana di Lucca
and as well as being a tourist attraction, has industrial and commercial industries related to the spa. A funicular climbs to Montecatini Alto village, home to the Torre dell’Orologio, a medieval clock tower, plus the Romanesque church of Santa Maria a Ripa
and sweeping views.
Our hotel in Montecatini
Florence and Pisa
Staying in Montecatini
gives us a good base for our planned visits to Florence
and Pisa
(the Leaning Tower), before or after a few days in Assisi. Florence is the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, and home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. One of its most iconic sights is the Duomo, a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome engineered by Brunelleschi and a bell tower by Giotto. The Galleria dell'Accademia
displays Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture. The Uffizi Gallery
exhibits Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus”
and da Vinci’s “Annunciation.”
ITALY
Over the years we have arranged two or three venue pilgrimage holidays to Italy, beginning or ending in Rome and staying in (or visiting en route) various of the Italian pilgrimage places and cities. We have visited many places over the years - Assisi, Padua, Venice, Siena, Florence, Sorrento, Pompei, Naples, Monte Cassino - some just once and many that we return to. Although Assisi
and Rome
are our favourites pilgrimage destinations.
See all current pilgrimage dates
