Tuesday 8 Februar

1330

Registration opens

1500

Tour of Nidaros cathedral and Vår Frue church

1800

Opening worship. All clergy are invited to robe for this service.

Nidaros cathedral

1900

Opening and welcome

1930

Welcoming dinner

Archbishop’s palace

Wednesday 9 February

0900

Pilgrims’ morning prayer

Nidaros cathedral

1000

Keynote lecture:
Most Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit
Pilgrimage in the protestant theological tradition – a worldwide perspective
Pilgrimage, once disencouraged by Luther, has again become popular in the protestant tradition. Old pilgrimage sites, like Nidaros, have been revived, and pilgrimage has become a motive in the ecumenical movement. In this lecture, Most Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit will expand on protestant foundations for pilgrimage today. Dr. Tveit became bishop of Nidaros Cathedral and presiding bishop of the Church of Norway in 2020, having served ten years as general secretary of the World Council of Churches.

Archbishop’s palace

1110

Group sharing – greeting each other

1200

Midday eucharist

Nidaros cathedral

1230

Lunch

1330 and 1445

Workshop session – participants choose 2 of the following workshops/seminars

Archbishop’s palace

Learning while walking – pilgrimage with youth
This workshop will present how pilgrim spirituality and practice is used in youth work in our diocese. How can the experience of walking towards sacred places let young people reflect on their lives, the world and their path with Christ? The workshop is presented by Rev. Kjartan Bergslid, a local minister with years of experience in running pilgrimages for youth.

Welcoming worship
How do you devise worship to welcome pilgrims in a post-secular age? Each year Nidaros cathedral receives pilgrims from different walks of life, approaches to faith and life as well as and nationalities. In this workshop we explore how to welcome contemporary pilgrims in a traditional cathedral setting. Rev. Andreas Grandy-Teig is vicar and precentor of the cathedral and serves on the liturgical commission of the Church of Norway.

Rebuilding a national sanctuary
In 1869, Nidaros cathedral were the run-down, delapidated remains of the mediaeval cathedral. A national programme to rebuild the cathedral was decided, and the the medieval moment and nation sanctuary was reconstructed. The workshop will present the ideological foundations and priorities which shaped the rebuilding of the cathedral which pilgrims encounter today.

Presenting St Olav’s heritage to visitors today
St Olav is the national patron of Norway, but to contemporary Norwegians also a typical viking king. His shrine was removed after the reformation; nevertheless, tourists and pilgrims arrive at his shrine and are curious about the history of Olav and the cathedral built at his graves. This workshop will present the potential and difficulties of presenting a mediaeval saint in our setting.

The St Olav’s ways: developing the pilgrim paths to Nidaros
This workshop will focus on the development of the pilgrim paths to Trondheim, the St Olav’s Ways, and how local communities, church and national authorities collaborate in building the pilgrim experience. How are the St Olav’s ways different from secular long-distance trails and what perspectives does the Cathedral offer modern pilgrims?

The pilgrimage cathedral in the public eye
Nidaros cathedral is a parish church, a national cathedral, a pilgrimage site, and a medieaval monument loved by most Norwegians. In this workshop, Very Rev. Ragnhild Jepsen, dean of the cathedral, will present perspectives on how the cathedral is perceived in the general population, what has contributed to it’s standing, and how this informs the life of the cathedral.

Walking together in a place of healing and pastoral care
Pilgrims coming to Nidaros in the middle ages sought physical healing, trusting in God's miraculous ways. What potential does the cathedral hold in encountering people seeking consolation and help today? This workshop is presented by Rev Marie Farstad, Cathedral Chaplain and an experienced therapist and pastoral councellor.

Traditional cathedral music in the face of pilgrim spiritualities and contemporary trends
Northern European populations are inspired by contemporary and popular musical trends, and Trondheim is no exception. At the same time, the cathedral carries a tradition and a responsibility for maintaining classical and church music. How can a pilgrimage spirituality inform the development of cathedral music today, ask Cathedral organist Ms. Petra Bjørkhaug and Cathedral Choir master, Ms. Karen Haugom Olsen.

1800

Eucharist at St Olav Roman Catholic Cathedral

St Olav cathedral

1900

Dinner

Archbishop’s palace

2030

Concert of the Cathedral Girls' Choir and Cathedral Choir

Nidaros Cathedral

Thursday 10 February

0900

Organ meditation

Nidaros cathedral

0945

Lecture:
Rt. Rev. Herborg Finnset (diocesan bishop)
Pilgrimage as «method» for cathedral and diocese
After the revival of pilgrimage at Nidaros cathedral, a pilgrim spirituality has developed and become a central motive in the work of the diocese. In this lecture, Rt. Rev. Herborg Finnsnes, diocesan bishop of Nidaros, will expand on the potential present in working with pilgrimage theologies and practices, for the diocese, its parishes and for their relation to the cathedral.

Archbishop’s palace

1045

Coffee

1100

Tour of the restoration workshops
We attend a guided tour of the different trades and workshops active at the Cathedral Restoration Works

Visit to Cathedral works

12-15

Departure for pilgrimage

Lunch at Sverresborg folk museum, followed by a taste of pilgrimage on the last part of the mediaeval pilgrim’s paths (voluntary - bus options will be available)

Final pilgrimage to the cathedral

1800

Pilgrimage vigil service - in the tradition of the feast of St Olav

Nidaros cathedral

1930

Conference gala dinner

Archbishop’s palace

Friday 11 February

0830

Morning prayer in the Nidaros Gregorian tradition

Nidaros cathedral

0900

Lecture:
Rev Dr. Margun Sandal
Sacred space in a post-pandemic digital age
The pandemic gave a boost to digital worship, and many cathedrals and parishes have developed online services. What happens to our perception of sacred space as experience moves into online platforms? What do sacred spaces still contribute to human experience and religion, and how can we strive to make these spaces relevant in a digital age? This lecture will be given by Rev. Dr. Margunn Sandal, maybe Norway's leading scholar on sacred space.

Archbishop’s palace

1000

Lecture
Pilgrims’ chaplain Rev. Einar Vegge:
Pilgrimage, justice and climate change
Pilgrimage invites an inner journey, but also an outer journey through Creation and alongside our fellow human beings. So theologies of pilgrimage must invite awareness and rethinking of our responsibility for and place in the world. Pilgrim's chaplain at Nidaros cathedral, Rev. Einar Vegge will present central ideas from recent pilgrim-centered theologies.

1100

Conference plenary session

1200

Closing service

Nidaros cathedral

1300

Lunch