Explain why some Christians go on pilgrimage and the effect that this might have on them.

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Elisha Spain

(AO2 Max Marks 21)

Inevitably, each pilgrim that travels to Lourdes, or any place of pilgrimage, will have their own personal reasons and individual circumstances that lead them to doing so. However, there are numerous fundamental reasons that may attract Christians to places of pilgrimage, which will be outlined and explored in this essay.

Firstly, Christians may participate in pilgrimage in order to replicate the actions of Jesus and follow in his footsteps. He is the central figure of Christianity and therefore they may feel that they need to empathise physically with Jesus in order to bring themselves closer to him emotionally and spiritually. On many occasions Jesus spent solitary time pondering and considering his life and praying before his Father. The most notable occasion being that after his baptism in which he travelled to the desert and faced temptation from the devil. Jesus also went to Jerusalem as an adolescent to attend the Passover festival and again to celebrate with his disciples towards the end of his life. To show the significance of solitude with God, Jesus would frequently spend time alone before and after performing miracles of healing; notably the healing of the man with leprosy as described in the Gospel of Luke – Chapter 5 verse 15 ‘Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.’ Another example of Jesus retreating to pray after performing a miracle is given in the feeding of the five thousand account found in the Gospel of John – Chapter 6 verse 15 ‘Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.’ Christians therefore find the opportunity of peaceful reflection at a place of pilgrimage very appealing as it enables them to create parallels between Jesus’ life and their own.

Pilgrimage offers Christians the opportunity to reflect upon their own lives; some may seek to improve themselves or to develop how they follow Jesus and the 10 commandments set by God. A pilgrimage can appeal as a time in which this personal development can be constructed and strengthened. For example, the two predominant commandments in the Old Testament ‘Love your God’ and ‘Love your neighbour’ can both be positively fulfilled and strengthened through pilgrimage. Christians may feel that the Masses held at places of pilgrimage enhance their worshipping of God and intensify the connection they felt with God initially. Their ...

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Some Christians may go on pilgrimage as they feel that Jesus instructs them to do so in the Sermon on the Mount of the New Testament. Pilgrimage gives Christians an opportunity to live according to these instructions given by Jesus – such as praying reclusively, not for the attention received from others. Also in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encourages that we should help others, such as in the chapters entitled ‘Giving to the Needy’ and ‘Judging Others’. Travelling to a place of pilgrimage, Christians will inevitably gain the company of the sick and needy; which presents itself as the opportunity to action Jesus’ moral teachings. Further teaching can be found in the ‘Parable of the sheep and the goats’ given in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 25 verse 40 – ‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Here, Jesus implies that service and treatment of others is extremely important; thus making the opportunities of helping others in pilgrimage even more appealing to Christians.

Due to the significance and emphasis on service to others, there are numerous groups that travel to a place of pilgrimage with that being the pre-eminent reason for the pilgrimage. Groups such as the Redshirts annually travel to Lourdes, helping others by welcoming them and increasing hospitality. Doctors and nurses also attend to help the sick and infirmed, and deal more directly with the physical ailments.

Some pilgrims may have a sick friend or relative, or may be suffering from infirmity themselves and they travel to a place of pilgrimage to pray for healing. People sometimes take petitions for others who are sick and offer their petitions to Our Lady of Lourdes. Petitioning for one cause together may bring a tightened sense of unity and community amongst the pilgrims.

Many Christians attempt to experience God through consummation of the healing water at Lourdes. This water is sourced from the spring at the Massabielle grotto where the Marian apparitions supposedly took place, and is believed by some to possess healing properties. The water also does not spoil or become stale, even if stored for extended periods. This property of preservation is thus emphasised as one of the proofs which convicts believers that the water is indeed holy. Not only do pilgrims drink the water, but they also queue nearby the baths to be washed in it. The pilgrims are willing and wanting to experience God, and having physical contact with what they believe to be ‘healing water’ will affect them profoundly; even if they are not miraculously physically healed. Perhaps physical contact with something so transcendentally celestial provokes much emotion and self-realisation. The experience may call upon an individual to change, cause them to realise what is truly important, or even heal them psychologically. Most of the healing that occurs in places of pilgrimage is spiritual or psychological, and not physical. Although, the health and state of the mind certainly can reflect the state of the body.

Most places of pilgrimage also appeal to Christians due to the historical element and interest that they possess. Some pilgrims are eager to see where Our Lady actually appeared, there is something truly simplistic yet powerful about being in such proximity to where something divine took place. Many are interested in the life of Saint Bernadette, and are keen to visit the places that she frequented. Pilgrims often find that praying and reflecting at the infamous Grotto, can instigate more fulfilling and efficacious prayer.

Certain events and locations at Lourdes also can have an impact on the pilgrims. The torchlight procession expresses the mystery of prayer in a form that is accessible to the eye; in the communion of the Church, the light of dialogue between man and God blazes forth and the luminous path is created. This procession is often a time of great ecclesial joy, but also a time of seriousness - the intentions the pilgrims bring emphasise their own profound communion with all those who suffer.

The Stations of the Cross are also found at Lourdes, and they are a popular devotion used by the pilgrims to honour the passions of Jesus. By accompanying Jesus on the Way of the Cross, pilgrims hope to see themselves mirrored in him, and pray to gain his courageous patience and trust in God.

The Basilicas and Churches located at Lourdes may also affect the pilgrims upon visit. Their vastness and ornate beauty may overwhelm some pilgrims, as perhaps they may feel the literal presence of God stronger than ever before. The atmospheric communal unity between all pilgrims can often provoke powerful reactions in these places of worship.

The compelling nature of Lourdes encourages groups such as the HCPT to bring children to Lourdes. They try to give healthy and sick children the opportunity to experience God in a more physical way at Lourdes, and also to enjoy themselves over the summer. By doing so, the group is also fulfilling Jesus’ instruction in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 10 verses 14-15, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’

Travelling to Lourdes often changes people; sometimes strengthening their convictions or increasing their self-realisation and acceptance of who they are and what is significant to them. On return home, they may possess a different outlook of life, which may positively affect their family, parish and even the wider community. Their family may be treated with more respect and appreciation, and the parish may also be rewarded with strengthened devotion and appreciation. The pilgrims may have a new-found willingness to help others and may begin or continue raising money for various charities, which will in turn benefit the wider community.

It is also important to realise that you do not necessarily need to be a person of great faith to attend Lourdes. Some people go in order to try and find God and bring themselves closer to Him. Some do not intend to become especially close to God but still go for the experience and other reasons; such as broad interest in the history of the location. The fact that Lourdes is not just for Christians is extremely significant. It demonstrates that places of pilgrimage bring people together as a community and widely accept every aspect of society – a strengthened faith in God can be merely a positive by-product of the journey.

The changes that take place can often occur in the services that take place in pilgrimage. The fact that these changes occur during the Masses demonstrates the significance of God and the power of the services. The hope for change or impact is often a significant initial reason for attending the pilgrimage. Pilgrims often feel that they need to evade and punctuate their busy lifestyle for a small period; perhaps they realise that God has been pushed to one side and want to devote some time to replenishing their relationship with Him. Attending a pilgrimage gives people the opportunity to experience God, and the spark of divinity that lies within Lourdes inspires change amongst thousands of pilgrims.

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