We prayed and planned for a long time, and Marion von Brechan and Stefanie Nordmann in particular wrote their fingers sore. Now we are very happy: for two years, there will be a part-time position for the development of innovative pilgrimage formats.

This position is sponsored by the Bonifatius-Werk and the Archdiocese of Berlin. Her office will be located in the premises of the Catholic parish in Stralsund.

Sabine Petters, pilgrim coach, hostel mother and experienced pilgrim guide, will work with and for us to find ways to meet the needs of people today and accompany them on their journey to God. Where can people who are not affiliated with the church connect? How can low-threshold pilgrimage offers appeal to people who may be in a transitional phase of their lives, who are looking for community, or who are simply curious about new, dynamic, and moving formats?

Numerous initial ideas were already bubbling up during the project development phase, such as sustainability pilgrimages with responsibility for creation, pilgrimage routes for encounters with people of other religions or secular worldviews, cultural pilgrimage routes that combine art, music, or literature with spirituality, multisensory pilgrimage experiences, e.g., with light installations or sound art, “5-minute pilgrimages”: short distances with brief moments of reflection, e.g., on the way to work or during a walk, pop-up pilgrimages, temporary pilgrimage sites in shopping centers or train stations offering opportunities for conversation, “Walk & Talk with God”: spontaneous pilgrim conversations with pastors, similar to “open church” or “light pilgrimages”: Night walks with candles and moments of silence and inner reflection.

But it doesn't stop there. Sabine's task will be to develop further ideas with people from all walks of life and to implement them together with partners. If you're feeling inspired too... Sabine welcomes any suggestions, even if they may seem a little far-fetched at first.

One way to feel God's presence is through blessings. We can all pass on God's blessings—from Christian to Christian. God's blessings and good wishes for our lives become especially meaningful at turning points in life (and many pilgrims are at or approaching such turning points). This is also true for Sabine and the start of her ministry. She was given three words of blessing for her work in the coming years.

The Bible already saw Christians as “God's wandering people.” We pilgrims want to pass on God's blessing as God's wandering people.

We wish Sabine God's good spirit for her work, so that she can inspire others.

May God strengthen you for your task.
May God's Spirit fill you with all that is good.
May God protect you from excessive demands
and invigorate you with ever-renewed strength.
Walk your path with joy.
Be blessed in the name of God, who created you and endowed you with your gifts,
in the name of Jesus, who accompanies you in all that is beautiful
and difficult,
and with the power of the Holy Spirit, who wants to inspire and fulfill you
in your work. Amen.

(This blessing was given by Pastor Schaan Sabine Petters)