When pilgrims reach Lourdes there are many things that they do; almost every pilgrim to Lourdes makes a visit to the grotto where Bernadette saw her visions. Pilgrims pray in the grotto, many of them use rosaries, and light candles. Many pilgrims visit the spring described to Bernadette. Some bathe in the water and hope that it miraculous powers may heal them. Lots drink the water for similar reasons and many take the water home to give to friends and family etc. Pilgrims attend mass at a church near the grotto. Here are some pictures taken during a pilgrimage to Lourdes:
The Holy land is the Christian name for Israel because of its association with Jesus and the Old Testament. Israel is a country in southwest Asia it is bounded with several countries and also the Mediterranean Sea. Jesus lived in the holy land 2000 years ago. During the pilgrimage the pilgrims visit many different locations and enjoy guides to different areas but the pilgrims do not just listen and move on; they stop and listen to a short bible reading and prayer that relates to an event that happened at that place.
Some parts of the Holy land include: Galilee, the Dead Sea, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. In Galilee there are many beautiful attractions, these included the stunning mountains and hills and the calm Galilee Sea. But despite these landmarks people chose to visit a town called Cana. This area is said to be holy as in the bible (John’s gospel) this is the place where Jesus changed wine into water at a wedding. Pilgrims visit Capernaum too. Jesus often preached there. People also visit Nazareth where Jesus lived and grew up with Joseph and Mary. They go to see the vast modern church built over the grotto of the holy family. It is said to be the place where the family home and the carpenter’s workplace once stood. Another historic monument visited by the pilgrims is the river Jordan; where Jesus was baptized. Just like at Lourdes many fill bottles full of the water to take home and cherish or give it to a friend as a souvenir.
Almost every pilgrimage to the Holy land passes and includes Bethlehem. They visit the Church of the Nativity, in Bethlehem. Pilgrims queue to go down to view the sight of the traditional place of Jesus’ birth. There is a huge star on the floor supposedly marking the place where Jesus was born. Many recite prayers on this spot as it makes them feel extremely holy. It is (for a Christian) one of the holiest places on Earth. Jerusalem is a “must-go” place to Christian pilgrims. The Western wall is popular –Jesus would have known this. They also visit many of the places linked with the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. They walk down the Mount of Olives. This is where Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on the donkey. Gethsemane is visited. This is where Jesus prayed after the last supper and where it is said he was arrested. Pilgrims walk the Via Dolorosa; the path took by Jesus with his cross. Many stop to reflect, then they follow the Stations of the Cross. A church – the Holy Sepulchre, is built over the tomb where Jesus was buried and where he rose from the dead. Pilgrims kiss and touch the marble rock on the floor, where it is said Jesus once laid. They often feel a sense of wonder as they touch this area.
All of the places and monuments mentioned are extremely important to Christians as they all relate to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Here are some pictures taken in the Holy land.
For Hindus, the holy places include Varanasi and the purifying river Ganges; for Buddhists, the places connected with the crises of Buddha's career; for the ancient Greeks, the shrines at Delphi and Ephesus, among others; for Jews, the Western Wall in Jerusalem; for Christians, Lourdes and Canterbury as well as Bethlehem, Galilee and Jerusalem; and for Muslims, Mecca and Medina.
Mecca is used as a place of pilgrimage as it was the birthplace of Muhammad. It is the holiest city of the Islamic world. In the centre of Mecca is the Great Mosque, in the courtyard of which is the Kaaba, the sacred shrine containing the black stone believed to have been given to Abraham by the angel Gabriel. Mecca has an annual pilgrimage, this is known as Hajj. Many of the Muslims wear white robes on their pilgrimage. The majority of the pilgrims congregate at the top of Mount Arafat to pray.
A pilgrimage to Mecca that should be undertaken by every Muslim at least once in a lifetime, unless he or she is prevented by financial or health difficulties. A Muslim who has been on hajj may take the additional name Hajji. Many of the pilgrims on hajj also visit Medina, where the prophet Muhammad is buried. The Hajj is one of the five pillars: the five duties required of every Muslim:
- Repeating the creed, which affirms that Allah is the one God and Muhammad is his prophet
- Daily prayer or salat;
- Giving alms;
- Fasting during the month of Ramadan;
- The hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca, once in a lifetime.
Here are some pictures of pilgrimages to Mecca:
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Many Christian go on pilgrimages to visit a holy place where God seems especially present or as an act of thanksgiving to God. Many go for physical or spiritual healing. Some go to fulfil a vow or promise made to God or a saint and as an act of penance for sin. Lots enjoy visiting the places connected with the life death and resurrection of Jesus. Many more pilgrims go to strengthen personal faith and to strengthen relationships within a group of people. Whilst others go to enjoy a holiday in spiritual surroundings and to pray to God for help. Many go on pilgrimages to build up a sense of spiritual growth or as a repayment of a vow. But the majority of pilgrims pilgrimage to gain a sense of spiritual restoration.
Many pilgrims go to Lourdes in hope to be cured by the miraculous spring water there. Lots of people go for the reasons listed above as well. Many go to pray for strength to cope. Many able- bodied people go to help the handicapped. This puts the Christian idea of service to others into practice. This also links the parable of the sheep and the goats and also the idea of “loving your neighbour”. Lots of people go to Lourdes and places of pilgrimage as they feel its part of their faith and that it helps their spiritual / prayer life. It helps them to refresh their faith, all of these a linked to more general ideas of being a believer.
The Holy land exists as a place for pilgrims to visit because of Jesus. He grew up and travelled around preaching the word of God all around the Holy land. The majority of pilgrims who travel to visit the Holy land go in order to respect Jesus, to re-enact his crucifixion, to visit places he visited, to follow the stations of the cross and mostly for a sense of spiritual restoration- to renew their faith. It makes people feel closer to God and takes their devotion and belief in Jesus to a new level. Like Lourdes people also visit the Holy land for the reasons above.
When pilgrims go on pilgrimages there are many tasks for them to do. Of course there are many guided trips to the religious and spiritual locations but there are also many other activities. Some of these include prayer, group activities, mass, group gatherings. In Lourdes touching and kissing the sacred rock and drinking the special water is very popular as too are Grotto mass processions. A pilgrimage is both a spiritual and a physical journey. The pilgrims prepare for their pilgrimage by reciting the parables relevant to the location they are going. The often take bibles, bottles (to fill with water) and the basic necessities needed for the journey. Pilgrimage benefits Christians in many ways. Benefits from pilgrimage include; spiritual growth, physical and spiritual healing, repaying a vow, spiritual restoration and finally group friendship strengthening.
Pilgrims enjoy pilgrimages as it is there chance to get closer to their religion. Also it is a chance for the pilgrim to meet new friends who share the beliefs as themselves. The activities performed whilst on the pilgrimage overwhelm many. They leave feeling happy and leave with hope. After one pilgrimage many return because of this certain buzz that they gained. They maybe inspired when they return home and share this with others. This links pilgrimage to general ideas of being a believer. When visiting Lourdes and the Holy land pilgrims feel that they can focus on their faith away from distractions at home and from their regular life. Especially at the Holy land pilgrimage helps people to think about a religious event, e.g. Jesus’ life and teaching, or his death and resurrection. Pilgrimage also helps people reflect their vocation and helps them to know exactly what it is that God wants them to do.
Many of the reasons for pilgrimage listed could be done at home, away from places of pilgrimages but pilgrimage helps to reassure these beliefs and this is how they are linked to more general ideas of being a believer.
Pilgrimage also makes people feel like they are part of a world wide Christian family.
Here are some pictures of pilgrims in action:
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“Places of pilgrimage tend to be very commercialised these days. This is bound to reduce the value of the pilgrimage for a Christian”
I agree with the first part of the statement. Pilgrim centres are very commercialised now compared with the past. But I disagree with the latter part of the statement. It does not reduce the value of the pilgrimage for a true Christian.I know that that pilgrimage centres are very commercialised as this is how the area survives and makes its money. The sacred places make lots of money for the people living in the area. However Jesus did not agree with this. Jesus felt very strongly about commercialising holy places. He once visited a temple during the holy week; there he saw stalls, shops, and gamblers. He screamed at the people there:
“This is the house of God and you have turned it into a hideout for thieves”
He then threw tables over and smashed things to get the peoples attention and to make them think.
This gives a very powerful message of what Jesus thought of commercialising places.
All places are becoming more commercialised so it is normal for places of pilgrimage to become commercialised too. Both the pilgrimage sites and area surrounding the places are becoming commercialised. But does this commercialisation take anything out of the pilgrimage?
I think that a bit of commerce does not take anything away from the experience. Now we could not cope going on holiday without hotels, shops, cafes and transport. Commerce in a way could help people enjoy the pilgrimage. They can take guided tours from people that know the area well and commerce helps to make the pilgrims stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. In many ways commerce can help benefit the people living in the place of pilgrimage (money from tourism) and also the pilgrims visiting the place (comfort and enjoyment)
I understand that many Christians disapprove of the commerce at the pilgrimage sites, mainly because of Jesus’ views on them but also because they believe that the people living there are making a living and benefiting from God and Jesus and that they think this is wrong. I also understand that many Christians wish to keep the pilgrimage sites traditional and are afraid of these places becoming too commercialised and turning into an attraction for other non believes, for example a shopping attraction
I believe that a Christian should be able to see pilgrimage centres for what they really are and ignore what they want to but concentrate on getting the most out of their pilgrimage journey. If they want to use the commercial aspects of the trip then that is alright. It is their choice.
