Pilgrimage to Iona

The Aiteal Trust supported a group to stay at Iona Abbey to raise the profile of people with learning disabilities in leadership roles, while building inclusive community. Louis Sainsbury led the pilgrimage, supported by two of his professional carers, his mother and friends.

Wikipedia’s definition of pilgrimage is:  a journey to a holy place, which can lead to a personal transformation, after which the pilgrim returns to their daily life. Iona is a special place, a remote Hebridean island. The Iona Community is a community of witness to faith, justice and love.

In addition to all those we met at Iona Abbey, we were joined on our second day by David, the Bishop of Argyll and the Isles who travelled from Oban to spend time with us. He, like us, wanted to spend time getting to know each other.

Caro Penney, Warden of Iona Abbey, wrote to Louis afterwards, signing her name alongside other Community members. She wrote:

“Dear Louis It was so good to welcome you here - with your mum and friends - to get to know you. You brought so much to our community. Thank you for being you, you are so full of love and kindness. We’d love to see you here again.”

Friends who travelled with Louis appreciated the love and skills of Louis’s professional carers, his capacity to understand, his memory. All spoke of the experience as ENRICHING, of it being a privilege.