Another command what Mary gave to Bernadette is to “build a chapel”. So today pilgrims will visit that chapel and go to regular masses and light candles there so they can remember their dead friends, they use candles as an aid to pray they believe that it helps the prayer stay inside the Church.
Finally Mary told Bernadette to “dig into the ground and wash and drink from the spring” So today pilgrims will go into the bath houses and be fully immersed into the spring what Bernadette made, it has special healing powers and is seen a reconciliation, it has a spiritual meaning.
Today in Jerusalem people go on pilgrimages there for certain reasons, this is the place where Jesus Christ was betrayed and was sentenced to die. Matthew 26: 47-50 “I will kiss the one who you shall take, Judas went up to Jesus, Jesus greeted him then Judas kissed Jesus on his cheek”. So today pilgrims will go to the Garden where Jesus was betrayed and kiss the stone where he sat when he talked to his father.
Another reason why pilgrims go on pilgrimages to Jerusalem is to travel on the road Via Dolorosa. Matthew 27: 31“After they had mocked him they stripped him of the robe and put his clothes on him, they led him away to be crucified.” So today pilgrims will travel up that road and travel along the Stations of the Cross to remember all the pain and suffering Jesus went through.
Finally pilgrims go to Jerusalem for their pilgrimage to go to the tomb where Jesus was buried and rose from the dead. Matthew 27:59-60 “Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean lien cloth, and placed it in a tomb which he had cut out of rock”. So today pilgrims will visit that tomb and the Golgotha, they view the place where his body was and are able to touch the glass which protects the spot where Jesus is believed to have risen from the dead.
Another place of pilgrimage where is the Holy Land. In the holy land. This is Jerusalem where Jesus died was buried and risen from the dead. It is holy because it was a part of the plan of salvation this was Jesus task to rid the world of sin and this is where it started this is why it is referred to the holy land.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem. In the gospel it tells us that “Mary a virgin conceived a baby with the power of the Holy Sprit” Today a pilgrim will go to the church of the Nativity and see where Jesus was conceived they will go inside and pray while touch one of the fourteen stars or kiss the ground where Jesus was conceived.
Another place where we remember Jesus is the Edicule, this is where Jesus’ body was placed. In Matthew gospel 27:60-61 “He placed the body in the tomb what he had cut out of a rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance of the tomb and went away.
In Conclusion I have explained about the customs that pilgrims take when they go on pilgrimages. I have also explained what customs the pilgrims believe in when they are remembering their leader and how they practice their faith.