Explain the part Pilgrimage plays in the religious life of Christians. In your answer include reference to the pilgrimages you have mentioned in Skill AO1.

Repentance means the act of repenting, or the state of being penitent; sorrow for what one has done or omitted to do; Jesus began his preaching with a demand for repentance. There is always this call for a Christians St Paul said

"Never to stand still but to go forward to take on new challenges, to put on the mind of Christ"

At either Lourdes or Iona there is always time for pilgrims to reflect on what they have, or what they have failed to do. Morning and evening prayers are held in the Grotto in silence as silence is needed to focus on prayer and spiritual matters. The silence is also respected at the Celtic cross (photo B) in Iona where prayers take place kneeling.

Penance means a sacrament in some Christian churches that includes contrition, confession to a priest, acceptance of punishment, and absolution. Our lady asked people to come to Lourdes to do Penance, in the 8th apparition to St. Bernadette. This forms a key part of the experience at Lourdes. Pilgrims make an effort to perform extra duties under any bad conditions as cheerfully and without grumbling as possible. Many Christians with make the station of the cross, barefoot or kneel for long periods of time on hard ground at the Grotto praying to the Rosary.

Reconciliation or the act of reconciling, or the state of being reconciled; reconcilement; restoration to harmony; renewal of friendship with God. Being at Iona away from daily life and problems is the perfect place to make peace with God. For Catholics the Sacrament of Reconciliation is believed to release a person from past guilt, gives Christ a chance to heal wounds of sin and allow a person to be reborn into their initial 'baptismal innocence.' This sacrament offers a real chance of inner healing.

Pilgrimage is a religious devotion to God and many customs take place at each pilgrimage to show the above,

Bathing at Lourdes in the special spring water is a devotion as on the 9th apparition Our lady is supposed to have told Bernadette,

'Go drink of the spring and wash yourself there'.

The pilgrim is asked, 'Would you now like to present your intentions to Our Lady?' Then the pilgrim is emerged into the water and invited to kiss a statue of the Madonna. This bathing is a reminder of their baptism and a symbol of rejecting sin. Although Lourdes is renowned for miracles having happened there, Even if a miracle healing at the spring in the grotto does not cure an illness, being around people with the same interests can help people come to terms with any illness they have whether it be cancer of suffering from depression. Lourdes is a pilgrimage for Christians looking for guidance and healing from God through processions of prayer, worship and any activities bringing people closer together as a community of God's people.