Bangor Cathedral event to help people tackle life’s challenges

A quiet morning at Bangor Cathedral will invite people to pause and reflect on the challenges, setbacks and turning points that shape all our lives.

The quiet morning takes place on Saturday 21 February, at 10 am and marks the start of Lent. Led by the Revd Canon Dr Trystan Owain Hughes, the morning is inspired by his latest book, To Hell’s Mouth and Back, which explores how hope can emerge even in times of pain, uncertainty and vulnerability. 

The event is open to anyone of faith or none who is seeking time for reflection.

To Hell’s Mouth and Back has been chosen by the Archbishop of Wales, Cherry Vann, as her official Lent Book for 2026. In it, Trystan Hughes, who is originally from Penmaenmawr, reflects on two demanding personal journeys: a long, exhausting 140-mile walk across North Wales, and a second, unexpected journey through recovery from a serious back injury. Through these experiences, he explores how life’s hardest moments can also become places of growth, meaning and hope.

For Trystan, pilgrimage is not just about physical walking, but about recognising the shared patterns in all our lives — whether through grief, illness, work, faith or major life changes — and discovering deeper understanding and purpose along the way.

“In To Hell’s Mouth and Back I want to inspire readers to find hope and joy in every part of their lives – in moments of quiet, in walks in the countryside or in a local park, in time spent with family or friends, or in work or hobbies,” says Trystan.

“In the book, I explore both the suffering and the unexpected joys of my own transformative journeys. Through this, my hope is that something of my story might resonate with other people’s and will encourage them to keep walking their paths with faith, courage and, above all, hope.”

“During the quiet day we will move Lent away from being a time to ‘give up’ things to being a time to ‘open up’ the journeys in our lives to God’s peace, hope, joy, and compassion.”

The book, published in both English and Welsh, includes a concise study guide designed to support individual reflection or group discussion through Lent, the six weeks leading up to Easter.