What is Pilgrimage- AO1 Georgina Thomas
A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place. The holy places that Christians choose to visit on pilgrimage can include; where a saint lived, where a relic of a saint is kept, where a vision occurred or where Jesus lived. To travel to holy places (such as Rome or Lourdes) is in itself considered a part of the pilgrimage. Originally pilgrims would have walked and maybe met with other groups on the way. Some choose to make the journey alone or as a group, e.g. - the HCPT takes sick children to Lourdes as part of the charity. In fact many of the pilgrims who go to Lourdes are seriously ill or severely handicapped, has become a place where in numerous cases the sick have been restored to health. Between Easter and December each year two 'jumbulances' travel from Britain to Lourdes weekly. These are large ambulances, capable of carrying twenty-four passengers, including a doctor, three or four nurses, a chaplain, other helpers and about a dozen sick pilgrims. The ambulances pick up their sick passengers and then take them to Lourdes. The help given by the ambulance team is voluntary, and a trust also pays for the accommodation of the pilgrims at a chalet called 'Across' in Lourdes.
Some Christians choose to make this journey uncomfortable as an act of penance and to reflect on the pain Jesus went through. In most recent years pilgrims have used modern transport to reach their chosen place of pilgrimage which some might argues damages the spirit of reason for going on pilgrimage. Those who choose to go on pilgrimage for their own reasons may be seeking a break from routine, some time and space to reflect, but going on pilgrimage is very different from a holiday. The Christians journey through life can itself be considered a pilgrimage. Taking an actual physical pilgrimage is only a small step on our spiritual journey. Our pilgrimage through life is one way of walking with Jesus.
Lourdes is a good example of a holy place, a place of pilgrimage. Pilgrims visit Lourdes because of devotion to Mary. In 1844 on January 11th a sick child was born, her family was poverty stricken and she had a poor education. In February 1858 Bernadette out to collect firewood with her sister and on the banks of the river Gave, Our Lady appeared to her. Bernadette continued to see visions. One official returned to his faith after witnessing Bernadette during a vision. Mary called herself 'The Immaculate Conception' on her 16th appearance. Bernadette spoke words of a ...
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Lourdes is a good example of a holy place, a place of pilgrimage. Pilgrims visit Lourdes because of devotion to Mary. In 1844 on January 11th a sick child was born, her family was poverty stricken and she had a poor education. In February 1858 Bernadette out to collect firewood with her sister and on the banks of the river Gave, Our Lady appeared to her. Bernadette continued to see visions. One official returned to his faith after witnessing Bernadette during a vision. Mary called herself 'The Immaculate Conception' on her 16th appearance. Bernadette spoke words of a dogma just ruled by the Pope. Priests and others began to believe and miraculous cures began. In 1862 the commission ruled that the immaculate mother of God did appear to Bernadette.
Today there are many practices associated with Lourdes. Daily masses are vibrant a joyful celebrations of praising, in groups of thousands indoors and out, with priests from each country. Pilgrims also visit the Grotto where prayers are said. The statue of the Virgin Mary can be seen in the grotto, pilgrims visit for a moment of reflection (thousands of miracles big and small occur here but not all are recognized by the church). Pilgrims drink the water from the natural springs. Many like to take some home as a souvenir, possibly to give it as a gift to someone in need, who might find help from it. Bathing in the spring is significant as it is the spring St Bernadette discovered. Entering the bathes is symbolic of baptism and an act of penance. There are individual baths for the different sexes, the baths at Lourdes are cold and uninviting. All the pilgrims remove their clothes, and then are carried to a deep tub, where they are immersed, and raised to pray before immersing again. The Blessed Sacrament procession begins outside the new Chapel of Adoration. Both the sick and the healthy process behind the canopy with a bishop. When the canopy reaches those gathered in front of the Basilica of the Rosary, the blessing of the sick begins. This procession symbolises the march of men, together with Christ, towards God the Father. Every evening, the candlelit procession winds its way from the Grotto, to the churchyard of the Basilica of the Rosary, everyone carries a candle. The flickering light symbolises harmony with Christ "the light of the world". There is much singing and praising in all different languages. The Stations of the Cross are much like ones seen in ordinary churches but in Lourdes they are large extravagant bronze statues, pilgrims make their way around the stations in large groups. Another practice of Lourdes is saying the Rosary; the official prayer of Lourdes. Mary held a rosary when she appeared to Bernadette. The helping of the sick in Lourdes is very important; HCPT helps sick children, those with social needs. People say three Hail Mary's, at the statue of Mary on the Domain in hope of returning again to Lourdes. A part of going on pilgrimage is to have fun; there are plenty of outdoor activities, parties, picnics to make new friends. This aspect is good for the sick and handicapped who make new friends and give the motivation to make the most of their lives
Rome became another destination of pilgrims seeking to visit what was said to be the tomb of Peter and Paul. The growth of devotion to martyrs and other saints caused pilgrimages to increase. It is now considered the home of the Catholic Church.
Paul (the great missionary) spread the Gospel in the time of Emperor Constantine, his last journey was to Rome. When Paul arrived he was martyred and beheaded just outside the City. In these times (64 - 67 AD) rumors were spread around small towns about what Christians did. After this, Peter became the Leader of the Church, the first Pope. He was not the cowardly man he was before. He was brought to trail for refusing to give up Christianity and subsequently was given the death penalty. He was martyred outside the City by form of crucifixion and Church tradition suggests he was crucified upside down. At this time, Constantine lived in Rome and he conversed into a Christian after Paul and Peter were martyred. Two and a half Centuries of persecution ended, and Christianity was made the official religion of the Roman Empire. St Peters became the 'Religious centre of the Catholic world' and remains so today. St. Peter's is located in Vatican state, across the river Tiber, west of Rome's center.
Rome has many famous sights that pilgrims like to visit. The Vatican museums are like no other. Art fills all of the walls, and the building itself is a very extravagant place. Emperor Constantine ordered to build a basilica on Vatican Hill. The location was symbolic: this was the place where Saint Peter, the chief apostle, was buried in 64 A.D. A small shrine already existed on the site but it was now replaced by a new building church was completed around 349 A.D. This is the largest Church in the World The basilica's dome, designed by Michelangelo is the largest dome in the world measuring 42m in diameter and reaching 138 meter high (more than 450ft). The interior, which includes 45 altars, is decorated by many famous artists. Some of the most important works in the church are the Pietà by Michelangelo. The opulent interior can be visited daily for free although a strict dress code is enforced. In St Peters Basilica is the Chair of St Peter, which is said to have belonged to him. It is a symbol of St Peter, the first Pope as head of the Church on Earth. Pilgrims can attend and 'audience' with the Pope or receive blessings in groups. Getting a blessing form the Pope is like receiving a blessing from the first leader. Another attraction is the statue of St Peter, it is custom to kiss or touch the foot of the statue (a form of veneration). The Sistine Chapel is where all the Cardinals in the Church meet when a Pope dies. They pray they will elect well a new Pope. Another attraction is the 'Scala Sancta' or Holy stairs, this is one of the most important pilgrim attractions, it is a marble staircase that Jesus was said to descend into Jerusalem, to stand in front of Pontius Pilate. Pilgrims are allowed to ascend these stairs on their knees, praying.
After looking at both Lourdes and Rome as places of pilgrimage, they are similar in the way that they both have statues of the saint or leader in that particular place, other than this, Rome and Lourdes as places of pilgrimage are very different. A lot of pilgrims go to Lourdes with HCPT, but this is not an option when going to Rome. In Lourdes, activities are done in groups, such as procession around the Stations of the Cross and the outdoor activities, where as in Rome pilgrims are left alone, to concentrate on their own thoughts rather than worrying what others are doing around them. In Lourdes activities and attractions are mostly outdoors, on the other hand in Rome a lot of the sights are indoors, such as the statue of St Peter and the Vatican museums. Both Lourdes and Rome are beneficial and common places of pilgrimage, but remain very opposite in styles of worship. Lourdes is very open and communal whereas Rome is more secluded and things aren't done in big groups.