Jesus on the cross on it. However not all gifts are disrespectful. For example,
a statue of our lady with a bright flashing lit up halo above her may be
untasteful to most people but for a partially sighted person it might not be. the
shopkeepers don’t force pilgrims to but their gifts but they persuade their
friends and family to pray and to visit the pilgrim centres. Some of the gifts
sold could help pilgrims to remember their experience for example a statue or
crucifix. These can also be a focal point when praying, they can also make a
persons faith stronger.
Hotels and food can also be very commercialised on a pilgrimage.
Hotels and restaurants are taking advantage of pilgrims. They do this by
placing restaurants and hotels near the religious sites, the domain. They
especially take advantage of the disabled. The prices are very high at
pilgrimage centres due to the ready market. The hotels charge high
prices because they know that people need to sleep somewhere. The bars
and cafes near the religious sites are also very expensive because people
need to eat and drink. On the other hand, Pilgrims are able camp at
campsites near to the domain at a cheaper price, although this would be
difficult for a disabled person. There is also a large place called Cite Secours,
here you pay what you can afford and you can sleep there. Charities such as
Hosanna House and HCPT will subsidise the sick and disabled. They raise
the money through funds and sponsored events. As for food, pilgrims are able
to go to the shop and buy their own food to make meals such as picnics; this
is a lot cheaper than eating in restaurants. There are also fast food outlets out
of town.
Crime can also be a problem in pilgrim centres, growth of a town or
Commercialism can lead to greed or jealousy. There are many beggars which
also makes the level of crime rise. But, crime should not stop anybody going
on pilgrimage as it is a worldwide problem. The amount of poverty could
increase a persons social awareness, this could increase a persons charity
and they will do more to help, they will live a more Christian life.
Flights can be very expensive, especially scheduled ones. But, you can
travel there at a cheaper price by going by coach. Parishes or dioceses may
also help out by raising funds to help with the costs.
Faith in God is affected by commercialism too. Seeing human greed
can reduce faith and people could become to concerned about gifts, the
commercial side, and forget the spiritual side. Commercialism also stops
pilgrims from wanting to return. But, people go on pilgrimage for various
reasons, spiritual, not commercial reasons. Holy sites are kept free from
commercialism, and prayer and worship services still take place. Most
pilgrims do return to the place of worship.
To conclude my essay I must state that I believe that commercialism
does make a difference to a pilgrimage but I don’t believe that this could be
stopped. Commercialism can be wrong in a place of pilgrimage but not all of
the time. I don’t think I would go on a pilgrimage, but, if I did I don’t think
commercialism would really effect me because it would be very similar to
going on holiday somewhere else and there being lots of souvenir/gift shops,
hotels and restaurants. I do agree that the value of a pilgrimage is reduced
because of commercialism but I also agree that the value isn’t reduced. This
is because although people are spending a lot of money their social
awareness is increased.
