I must admit: until we had developed this creed, I myself wasn’t entirely sure what a creed actually was. It was only the Latin translation that shed light on the matter for me: ‘Credo’ simply means ‘I believe’. Felicitas Rohde-Schaeper brought this wonderful idea to our Nordkirche pilgrims’ regular get-together. We quickly agreed: if pilgrimage is experienced as ‘praying with one’s feet’ or even as ‘worship with one’s feet’ – doesn’t that also involve a very personal profession of faith? This idea gave rise to a small working group.

Together with Felicitas Rohde-Schaeper, Ellen Nemitz and myself (Sabine Petters), we set out to find the right words. We wanted to create a creed that could be recited both by Christians and by pilgrims who are on a journey of discovery and open to prayer, silence and spirituality. The structure is modelled on a traditional creed, rooted in the Trinity: We draw directly upon the three aspects of our Triune God in our own search for clarity and trust. 

A creed – it is meant to be lived out and put into practice. Perhaps you might like to incorporate it into your next stage of the journey or into your everyday life: read the first few lines in the morning to consciously set the tone for the day. If you’re travelling together, you could also read the creed aloud in the evening once you’ve reached your destination and share which line particularly resonated with you that day. 

Pilgrim’s Creed

I believe that  setting out  transforms me.

That every step brings me closer – to myself, to my fellow travellers, and to the mystery that is greater than I am.

God, Creator of our world.

As we journey through life, you bless us with sunshine, wind and rain, the scent of flowers and the song of birds, the rhythm of day and night.   

You created us, as human beings, in your own image.

Jesus, my companion on the journey. My role model and my destination on my life’s pilgrimage.

Memories come flooding back, and you walk alongside me.

You reached out to people, shared with them and lived out love. You went on pilgrimages, even to those on the margins of society.

You are the Way.

That is what I choose to believe.

Holy Spirit, source of our life, you who inspire life.

I am discovering my roots, which give me stability.

You are transforming me. You give me wings.

I breathe in. I breathe out and let go. The breath of life!

I trust that I am sustained by community, love and peace.

I step into the answers to my questions.

Transformed, strengthened and renewed

I   a r r i v e.

Amen.

Verfasserinnen: Sabine Petters, Felicitas Rohde-Schaeper, Ellen Nemitz