Last year’s pilgrimage was wet and wild, and pushed us to the limits. Hopefully it won’t put you off, but check out this Youtube that Aaron put together to see just how intrepid and courageous we all were: Don’t think the weather is always bad; four of the previous six pilgrimages have been bright and sunny with swimming in the rivers! One young person wrote, ‘This pilgrimage was great: to experience my faith in the splendor of God’s creation and in the heart of nature and to know that I’m not alone in my faith. Saying the Rosary in the wind and rain on the side of a mountain was a great experience which I will never forget!’

The total cost for the weekend is £50, cheques payable to ‘Castlerigg Manor’.

Kit list

Big Walk Booking and Consent Form U18

Big Walk Booking Form 18+

“It was with much trepidation that we drove to Hyning Hall in January for a Monastic Experience Weekend. Having no idea what to expect, we worried that it would be an intense weekend of strict silence, a harsh timetable, bread and water and no technology. We arrived, and on pressing the doorbell, the heavens opened and we were soaked in the time it took for the several locks to be pulled back and the door opened. For a moment, we thought our fears were confirmed. But from the time we were welcomed into the house, the weekend took on a much different tone. I have never known such peace as I experienced at Hyning Hall. There were five of us on the retreat, and we were surprised to see a young man in the group as we had assumed that the weekend was all about becoming a nun. However, the aim of the weekend was simply to allow young people such as ourselves to have the time and space to learn how to pray and respond to God’s call in our lives, no matter what it might be. We followed the daily lives of the nuns at Hyning Hall, getting up and being in the chapel for 6.30am and praying with them 5 times a day. We were touched by the peace, warmth and generosity shown to us throughout the weekend. There is a very gentle pace of life at Hyning Hall; everything the sisters did they offered to God. They truly make God the centre of their lives. Although we had been anxious about the amount of time spent in silence and prayer, we came to find that we loved it. We felt a sense of stillness, an inner calm; a safety in the silence of just being ourselves without having to worry about who we were or what we had to do outside in our busy daily lives. The most poignant moment for us both was on our first night in the beautiful chapel praying Vigils. Towards the end of the prayers, the lights were switched off one by one until the whole chapel was in pitch darkness except for one candle by an icon of the Virgin Mary and Jesus. In this comforting atmosphere of stillness we sang the Salve Regina, feeling the motherly protection of Our Lady. Even though they sang and we weren’t familiar with the tune, we still felt included and welcomed, listening to their angelic voices.

Eating meals in silence was a new experience – and nerve racking experience – but one that we wanted to take back to our daily lives! We dreaded an awkward silence, but instead found a caring atmosphere where other people’s needs were put first. We found that you don’t need to talk to communicate! Kindness was shown to everyone and there was no need to hurry or rush off during or after the meal. Throughout the meal we were read to – another surprise! We expected deeply theological reflections, but instead the nuns enjoyed the Biography of the Queen Mother at lunch times and Jonathon Sacks, Chief Rabbi, on “God, Science and the Search for Meaning” at dinner times. Although we didn’t understand all of it, it was enough to watch the nuns chuckle over it during their toad-in-the-hole! Washing up was also done in silence – a task that was over far quicker than when talked through! We expected the silence to feel lonely, but it was the exact opposite. Silence in a group is a shared activity; it takes everyone to hold and maintain that silence, so it becomes a shared experience. The nuns had a real sense of humour between themselves and moments not spent in silence were more often than not spent in laughing. We felt as though we’d had twelve mothers looking out for us during the weekend, such was the care and attention the nuns paid us.

Hyning Hall is in a stunning location and has a beautiful garden. It was so beautiful in fact, that we felt like we were in heaven with the sun rising and the birds singing when we were there.  We were only there for a weekend, but on coming away from Hyning Hall we felt changed; refreshed and at peace. People remarked on the ‘glow’ that we had to us when we arrived home! Hyning Hall brought us closer to God and changed us in many ways. It is an experience we will always be grateful for.

Beth Henderson, from Barrow, writes, ‘Castlerigg is my favourite place in the world. It’s the place I go to reflect on life and take a break from reality. All of the retreats allow me to do this, but the Easter retreat is always something else. The experience is overwhelming… How every single person is 100% willing to be involved in making the vigil beautiful, and no-one stops until it is just right. People who have never met each other before are suddenly grouping together to think of new ideas… People with low confidence are putting their names forward to read scripture… People who have never really thought about the Easter story are talking about it and really understanding what it means. The atmosphere as Richard was being confirmed and receiving First Holy Communion was one I’d never experienced… Every person on that retreat did the Easter story justice and Castlerigg was the perfect place for that to happen’.

Sophie Benson added, ‘I couldn’t believe it had been two years since I’d come back to Castlerigg on my own. I’ve been on retreat lots since but this year Easter retreat was really special. I was able to spend time with some really good friends and also meet lots of new amazing people all at different stages with their faith. There’s many things that stand up but mostly just walking the Triduum in real time with everyone. The sadness of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and understanding what they’re really about. Experiencing the wait of Holy Saturday, I’d never thought about Christ being dead before. And then the most amazing Easter Vigil – I don’t think I’ve been that excited for ages! To also see how much being confirmed meant to Richard made me realise how I can be more committed to my faith and be an example to other young people who want to come to the church. Thanks to everyone who was there and made it so amazing!’