SMALL PILGRIM PLACES
Good Practice for Small Pilgrim Places
Provisional Good Practice Guide
1. Opening times that are publicly advertised.
2. A written introductory guide to the place that both informs and encourages
visitors to slow down and ponder, not simply describing a heritage trail.
3. Hospitallers have the overall care of a place, establishing an atmosphere of
welcome and prayer, and where possible being physically present, so as to add to
the encouraging atmosphere, and convey their commitment to the place’s well
being.
4. Some places may be able to offer a spare key in a hidden location or issue
spare keys to those who are bona fide so that the building can be always
available.
5. Hospitallers who keep the keys, who do the chores, who offer a welcome and a
listening ear, who can introduce visitors to the silence, who can lead simple
and short times or prayer or reflection.
6. Simple hospitality and a warm reception, that is not effusive or intrusive,
that does not overwhelm, but rather sensitively puts people at their ease.
7. Hospitallers who are competent and confident. The parallel is the Samaritan
rather than the professional counsellor, the first aid volunteer rather than the
professional nurse.
8. A support group for each hospitaller.
9. An annual gathering of hospitallers to share stories and insights and to
learn from one another, so building competence and confidence, and, especially
in the foreseeable future, to discover further what makes for good practice.
10. A supportive way of monitoring one another's practice which takes the task
seriously without becoming legalistic.
11. An opportunity for those coming new to the task to spend a time at two
different SPPs.
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