To find festivals, please type “Parish Festival” in the search box. At the far right of the search bar, use the drop down menu arrow next to the word “Month” and choose your view options.
- This event has passed.
Theology Day: Pilgrims of Hope — Collegeville, Saint John’s University
“Pilgrims of Hope”: The Theology and Practice of Pilgrimage
Presenter: Chris Conway, Ph.D.
Pope Francis declared the theme for the 2025 Jubilee to be “Pilgrims of Hope.” Pilgrimage as both a practice and a metaphor has a rich tradition in Christianity…
…The Church is called to be a pilgrim church, and we are to be a pilgrim people. In exploring what makes pilgrimage such an evocative symbol, we will look at pilgrimage as it is presented in the Bible, practiced in the tradition, and has appeared in the arts. As a religious phenomenon that is not limited to Christianity, we will also look at the place and places of pilgrimage in other faith traditions to further understand the power and pervasiveness of this practice. Whether it is a setting out or turning in, the theology, practice, and symbol of pilgrimage continues to inspire persons of faith around the world.
Chris Conway is the Director of Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning and an associate professor in the Department of Theology at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s and The Saint John’s University School of Theology and Seminary. He completed his doctoral studies at Boston College in comparative theology, and his areas of research include spiritual practices and devotional traditions in Christianity and Hinduism.



















