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On Sunday 14 September, 11 young adults will begin a seven-day pilgrimage along the English route (Camino Inglés) of the Camino de Santiago, as part of The Alban Way programme. Walking together with their four group leaders, Rachel Drury, the Revd Dan Drew, the Ven Dave Middlebrook (Archdeacon of Bedford), and Nadine Scarlett, the young adults will journey alongside one another and fellow pilgrims, culminating at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.

Throughout their discipleship year, the young adults have followed a rhythm of spiritual practices including fasting, the examen, lectio divina, confession, solitude and silence. These practices have helped prepare them for the pilgrimage, which will include moments of reflection and opportunities for each participant to lead morning and evening prayer.

Alban Way Project Lead Rachel Drury said ahead of the pilgrimage:

“We’re excited to see what God will do in and through these young adults as they spend this time away together in community. It’s always a powerful moment to listen to their reflections, witness leadership emerge, and see them grow and flourish as they reach this significant milestone after a year of journeying together.”

Please keep our young adult Alban Way cohort and their leaders in your prayers as they set off. Please pray for safe travels, peace in their preparations and deep encounters with God along the way.

The Camino prayer that the group will be using along their journey:

O God, who brought your servant Abraham out of the land of the Chaldeans, protecting him in his wanderings, who guided the Hebrew people across the desert, we ask that you watch over us, your servants, as we walk in the love of your name to Santiago de Compostela.

Be for us our companion on the walk,
Our guide at the crossroads,
Our breath in our weariness,
Our protection in danger,
Our albergue on the Camino,
Our shade in the heat,
Our light in the darkness,
Our consolation in our discouragements,
And our strength in our intentions.

So that with your guidance we may arrive safe and sound at the end of the Road and enriched with grace and virtue we return safely to our homes filled with joy.

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

UK pilgrimage

This is the first of two pilgrimages this year as part of The Alban Way and we continue to pray for the young adults who will be taking part in the Lindisfarne pilgrimage at the start of October. We look forward to sharing news about the UK-based pilgrimage in due course.

Find out more

The Alban Way is a discipleship year for 18–35s. If you know someone who might be interested in joining the 2026 cohort, please share this link with them: Register Your Interest for 2026. You can also read more on The Alban Way website.