Virtual Pilgrimage: A Pathway to Spiritual Renewal for Frontline Volunteers in Ottawa's Shepherds of Good Hope (Conflict, Ethics, and Spirituality, 10)

Walking practices are experiencing a revival in the post-millennial world. Chief among these is the discipline of pilgrimage. The purpose of this research was to explore the pilgrimage trope as a pathway to spiritual renewal for Ottawa's Shepherds of Good Hope (SGH) volunteers. A form of substitute pilgrimage identified as 'virtual pilgrimage' was adapted to simulate the last 100 km of the Camino de Santiago trail. A purposive random sample of twelve SGH volunteers (six men and six women) walked the distance virtually, over a period of six weeks. Each week, the participants were given a reflection question to focus their walks and their journal accounts. The research methodology was configured around Richard Osmer's four-task cycle for practical theological research. The data was collected by way of a questionnaire, a focus group, and the participants' journal accounts. NVIVO software was used to analyze the data, and Stephen Bevans' "Praxis Model" was used to interpret the results. Virtual pilgrimage encompasses many of the themes associated with the traditional distance pilgrimage, including suspension of regular routines, intentionality, experiences of blessedness and beauty, and encounters with sacred mystery that inspired social action. The results showed that virtual pilgrimage contains the same facility for spiritual renewal as the traditional, distance pilgrimage, with potential wide-ranging applications in the health, human, and social services fields. Walking practices are experiencing a revival in the post-millennial world. Chief among these is the discipline of pilgrimage. The purpose of this research was to explore the pilgrimage trope as a pathway to spiritual renewal for Ottawa?s Shepherds of Good Hope (SGH) volunteers. A form of substitute pilgrimage identified as ?virtual pilgrimage? was adapted to simulate the last 100 km of the Camino de Santiago trail. A purposive random sample of twelve SGH volunteers (six men and six women) walked the distance virtually, over a period of six weeks. Each week, the participants were given a reflection question to focus their walks and their journal accounts.0The research methodology was configured around Richard Osmer?s four-task cycle for practical theological research. The data was collected by way of a questionnaire, a focus group, and the participants? journal accounts. NVIVO software was used to analyze the data, and Stephen Bevans? ?Praxis Model? was used to interpret the results.0Virtual pilgrimage encompasses many of the themes associated with the traditional distance pilgrimage, including suspension of regular routines, intentionality, experiences of blessedness and beauty, and encounters with sacred mystery that inspired social action. The results showed that virtual pilgrimage contains the same facility for spiritual renewal as the traditional, distance pilgrimage, with potential wide-ranging applications in the health, human, and social services fields Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Table of contents 6 Dedication 14 Acknowledgements 16 Abbreviations 18 General Introduction 20 Background and Context of the Problem 34 The Changing Cultural and Spiritual Landscape 44 Virtual Pilgrimage: A New Faith Practice 86 Methodology 126 Results 150 Discussion 196 General Conclusion 228 Instructions for Virtual Pilgrimage 242 Questionnaire 244 Virtual Pilgrimage Reflection Questions 250 Focus Session Questions 252 Information and Consent 254 Call for Research Participants 256 Summary of Results 258 Bibliography 296