How and when do we start?
We will officially begin with a one-hour Zoom Orientation. During this webinar, we will introduce you to the history, themes, and spiritual practices that will guide our pilgrimage. We will orient you to the schedule and logistics of how the walking and digital-community experience will work throughout our journey. And, we will also give you a chance to meet participants in smaller breakout groups.
What if I can’t make the orientation?
Orientation will be recorded and e-mailed to every registrant, as well as be made available here on the website. If you are unable to make the live webinar, we encourage you to watch the recorded version before you set out for your first walk.
How long are the walks?
We suggest planning your walks to be about 60 minutes whenever possible. Some people may want to set aside more time each day for longer walks or personal retreat time. Also, feel free to split up a walk throughout your day or week.
What will I be doing while I walk?
Our team has designed audioguides that can be streamed or downloaded to play on your phone. Each walk has a theme from the Celtic Christian tradition, and incorporates stories, scripture, prayer practices, and reflection questions to help you engage the embodied spiritual practice of walking outdoors. You can press pause at any point in a walk to give yourself more time to pray or process before continuing.
How will I know where to walk?
You can walk anywhere outside, though we encourage you to try as best as you can to be around God-created nature. This might be a hike in the woods or a park, or simply a walk around your neighborhood. If possible, choose a route with trees and plants. Take some time to plan where you would like to walk along the Celtic Way, particularly for our final walk - Branch 4 - when we invite you to walk somewhere you’re especially familiar with. .
If you experience limitations in your environment or body that prevent you from walking participation in the Celtic Way, we welcome you to engage with the audioguides by sitting and listening in an outdoor location.
What will I be doing when I’m NOT walking?
We have prepared a number of additional guiding and communal experiences:
VISIO DIVINA
Before you set out on each walk, you'll watch a short video with a guided contemplative exercise using a piece of art made just for Via Divina: The Celtic Way. These videos can be found on each Root & Branch page, and you can access all of them at once here.
BONUS MATERIAL
We’ll release additional optional activities for each Root and Branch throughout the experience, plus a few other surprises. These materials can be found on each Root & Branch page, plus you can access the growing collection all at once here.
DEBRIEF GROUPS
We encourage you to process and share your experience with other participants in small groups two to four times throughout the Celtic Way. You can use the "How to Debrief in Small Groups" page in the journal or the Debriefing page on the website to guide your debrief time.
If you're participating with a group (ex. church, work team, friends), choose a time and method that will work for the majority of you.
If you do not have a group you're journeying with already, the InterVarsity Faculty Ministry team will share information in the emails and Facebook about joining other debrief groups.
Is the Visio Divina artwork available for purchase?
InterVarsity Via Divina is overjoyed to have partnered with Bette Dickinson in her creation of these beautiful works of art. If you're interested in purchasing any of the artwork we're contemplating during the Celtic Way, please visit the series on Bette's website.