One man’s story of two pilgrimages

Phil McCarthy was a GP in Bristol for many years. In December 2015 he took up a new role as CEO of Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN).

In 2008 Phil walked alone from Canterbury to Rome following the ancient Via Francigena pilgrim route. His book about this pilgrimage is called Rome Alone. The book describes the joys and difficulties of modern pilgrimage in an age of doubt and confusion.

In 2015 he travelled on from Rome to Istanbul across Albania, Macedonia and Greece. Along the way he spent Easter at the Holy Mountain of Athos, then cycled to the battlefields of Gallipoli in the centenary of the World War One landings. His book about this journey is called The Dusty Roads of History.

The proceeds of both of these fascinating books will be donated to St Joseph’s, in memory of Phil’s grandfather Eugene McCarthy, who was born in Mile End and died at the Hospice.

The paperbacks cost £10 and the e-books £5 and they can be purchased through Phil’s website: www.romealone.org.uk