Amanda Lovett, known for her role in the first series of BBC’s The Traitors, was keeping her mother’s ashes beside her bed as a result of her struggle to say goodbye. However, after participating in a modern-day pilgrimage with six strangers, Amanda was finally able to move on. The pilgrimage was documented for a new series on BBC Two, in which seven well-known personalities with differing beliefs undertook the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way.
The BBC series initially caught Amanda’s interest as she wanted to question her faith as a practising Catholic, particularly in light of her disagreement with the religion’s traditional stance on same-sex relationships. However, after appearing on the show, Amanda found acceptance from the LGBTQ+ community, which she now describes as a family.
Despite not going on the pilgrimage with the intention of healing her relationship with her mother, Amanda found herself coming to terms with the unconventional way in which she was brought up. Her mother, a functioning alcoholic, had come to the UK from Ireland and struggled to read and write. The pair didn’t have a close relationship, but Amanda still found it hard to let go when her mother passed away six years ago.
During the pilgrimage, Amanda was able to come to terms with her mother’s passing after a priest spoke of a place where the barrier between heaven and Earth is thinner. Amanda looked up at the sky and saw the most beautiful face in the clouds, which prompted her to realise it was time to let go.
Amanda’s experience shows that anyone could benefit from the breathing space of a pilgrimage. It’s an opportunity to disconnect from the pressures of our fast-paced lives and appreciate the beauty of the natural world
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