Some pilgrims went to escape the threats of people that they lived or worked with, to avoid debts or punishments. Pilgrimages were a good option because there was very little chance of them being found and they were in the safety of many good people who would help them in difficulty. Also, they could stay at the place of pilgrimage as long as they liked, and when they returned, the debt may have been forgotten. People that went on pilgrimages for this reason usually returned and paid off the debt or apologised to whoever it was whom they were running away from. Some pilgrims simply didn’t return and started a new life near the place of pilgrimage.
Other reasons why some Christians went on pilgrimages in the medieval age depend on where they were going. If they were going to Rome, they might be going to see the Pope. Pilgrims that had seen the Pope might have been converted into Christianity. This was the case most of the time because most of the converting would be in the journey. Other pilgrims may have been unmoved by the pilgrimage.
Some pilgrims went on pilgrimages to visit the places that Jesus went to, to see what he was talking about more clearly. Many pilgrims do this today. Most pilgrims find a better understanding of the Bible if they go on a pilgrimage for this reason and become better Christians. Unfortunately, the trouble that is happening in Israel at the moment means that many pilgrims cannot go there, and find that their faith wanders because of it. They see the fighting and believe that God has failed them and that their faith is wrong. This is a most unfortunate conclusion to come to, as pilgrimage usually has the total opposite effect, strengthening a Christian’s faith instead of weakening it.
Many pilgrims, both today and in medieval times go on pilgrimages to get closer to God. The place that they visit has special religious value, and it may help the pilgrim to understand some of the things that happen in the Bible. This can mean that they take a more active part in their community or even completely devote their lives to God. Many pilgrims go on a pilgrimage like this when they are already Christian, with a strong faith, in order to make their faith stronger.
A reason that is less common today than it was a long time ago is penance. When a Christian felt that he/she had done something wrong, they would “punish” themselves by going on a pilgrimage, to say sorry to God. Nowadays, pilgrimages are not so difficult, so penance is not so common. A pilgrim may find consolation once they have done that and may not feel guilty about what they have done. Many pilgrims would try and avoid doing anything wrong again in the future. Many Christians that had turned to crime decided to go on pilgrimages, and then went back to their law-abiding lives.
Some pilgrims in the medieval times were sent on pilgrimages by the king. One of the reasons for this was to try and make the pilgrims servants to King Christians, and therefore make them less likely to betray them. The servants may have been sent on these pilgrimages once or twice, to keep their loyalty, as it was thought that if a servant was a god Christian they would be unlikely to commit any crimes. A pilgrim that is sent on a pilgrimage does not have their own free will in the matter, and therefore might not be as easily converted by the trip.
Some pilgrims did and do go on pilgrimages to simply learn about the place. They just want to find out about the place and why it is special. This in itself can make the pilgrim into a Christian, because of the tales of miracles and wonders that took place there.
Pilgrims both today and back in medieval times went on pilgrimages to find enlightenment, to become a better Christian and find the purpose in their life. Pilgrims that do this often go on to become church leaders.
Many pilgrims went on pilgrimages in medieval times for homage and to become more religious. They just wanted to do something special tow worship God and to prove their faith. Pilgrims that went because of this were already firm Christian believers, but going on a pilgrimage would usually make them even stronger. Going by their own free will they are more likely to come away more religious than if they were forced to go or went because of pressure from their social life.
Nowadays, pilgrimages are a lot less strenuous, before they could take months before you even got to the place. Today it is just hours. This means that more people can go on pilgrimages, but also that going on a pilgrimage is less of an ordeal than it was before. Also, because of the communications between places nowadays, stories of miracles and amazing things happening travel around quickly. This means that Christians go on pilgrimages just to relax, whereas earlier, this would be unthinkable.
Many people go on pilgrimages in the hope of being the subject of a miracle. Lourdes is renowned for its healing miracles, and thousands of sick people go there in the hope of a cure. The effects of this can be varied, if the person doesn’t get cured, his faith may be scratched, and may even give up Christianity. On the other hand, if an unexplainable miraculous cure happens, the pilgrim will be overjoyed and will no doubt devote the rest of his life to God.
Many pilgrims can see that there are many other people like them who are ill, and they may find that seeing them makes them come to terms with their illness and even the fact that they are going to die.
Christians who are going through a difficult period in their life may go on a pilgrimage to relax and think about their problems. They try and find their inner peace. Places of pilgrimage, especially Walsingham, are known for their calming atmosphere and many people go there to relax. This would not have been possible earlier, when it was not safe to go on a pilgrimage, let alone go on one to relax. Today many people go on a pilgrimage for just a day, in order to calm down, and think about their life. Christians do this is order to sort out where religion comes in their life, and a Christian that visits a pilgrimage site often is usually more dedicated.
Many Christians go on a pilgrimage just for the amazing experience of it. They haven’t done it before but want to try it, many Christians that do this often find that pilgrimage is a great thing to do, and may become more committed in their lives to Christianity.
Many Christians go on pilgrimages with a disabled person; they help them and make sure they gain from it. These people often gain greatly from the experience, and many go on to a life in the church. Many pilgrims go to Lourdes with a sick or disabled person.
Some Christians go to say thank you to God for something. They want to do it in a special way, and going on a pilgrimage is indeed special. These pilgrims obviously have much faith in God already, increased by whatever they are saying thank you for, but they still usually gain from the experience spiritually.
Some Christians go to meet people, as on a pilgrimage they can meet thousands of people, and many of them will be similar to them. Friendships can develop out of pilgrimages, as well as all the experience and faith that they gain from it.
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