The vision also knew it would bring a great impact when meditating there because Christians may feel as an important church like they do the Church of England.
The last thing the vision probably told Bernadette was to push away a rock where a small puddle lay and suddenly a spring formed.
The story is the main reason why Christians go to Lourdes.
The amount of people that were in Lourdes was amazing. There was people in wheelchairs, people with crutches, disabled people and people who were fine. Most of them were holding signs saying where they had travelled from.
I joined in the daily procession and enjoyed every moment. We all held lit candles that were placed in plastic cups to protect the flame. They symbolised God’s grace within each and every one of them. (The light)
We were also singing the hymn ‘Ave Maria’ meaning ‘Praise to Mary.’
I felt great being a part of this tremendous pilgrimage. Everyone was happy and enjoying themselves.
We turned into the grotto and I saw people queuing up. They were waiting to kiss/touch the wall where the Bernadette saw Mary for the first time. The wall is incredible and has a lot of importance. I touched the wall and what I felt is beyond description!
I saw a lot of crutches hanging up near the wall; this was obviously showing that people had been miraculously healed and wanted others to know how Lourdes has helped them and that they were very grateful.
The processions are very important to Christians as they bring Christians together in worshipping the Lord, “Love They Lord.”
I also walked around ‘The stages of the cross.’ Some pilgrims walked bare foot to feel the same pain Jesus had felt. Just looking at the sculptures made people cry, including me.
There are three churches, which are linked together: the Crypt, the Rosary and the large Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Mary had asked Bernadette to build a church knowing Christians from around the world would come here.
I visited the spring and remembered that Mary had commanded to go and drink from the spring, so I did. I also filled my bottle up with this holy water to take home. I saw a lot of people bathing in the water. Some think that bathing is more of a tradition rather than a command. But it will help Christians to think of Baptism.
At the end of the procession we were led back and Holy Communion took place. The significance of this is that it brings Christians closer together within the congregation. Everyone watched as the priest blessed the bread and wine, (body and blood of Jesus.) The congregation all took the bread and wine. This is remembering the last supper and Jesus’ teaching of “Do this often and remember me.”
My pilgrimage was not only inspirational but also magnificent. I enjoyed every moment I spent there and will cherish it forever.
Overall Lourdes isn’t just a place of pilgrimage but also tells the teachings of the Bible. Many go to be spiritually healed and some are physically healed. One person went Lourdes, fell in love with it and couldn’t return. Many also find inner peace and feel much calmer about themselves.
Christians may feel this is their chance to show their devotion to God because the world is getting worse and as time passes Lourdes is an ideal place for worship. I feel this is important to believers.
B i) Why do Christians go on a pilgrimage?
Christians go on pilgrimage for many reasons. It isn’t vital for any Christian to go on a pilgrimage but there are a lot of important aspects about pilgrimage.
Some go to be physically or mentally healed. Other reasons may be to get away from everyday life, get God’s help, show their devotion and love to the supreme Lord and to ask for forgiveness for their sins they have committed (penance). This will bring them inner peace and make them feel better about themselves.
After visiting Lourdes they may feel they have been brought closer to God and also connected with Him in a way they never have before.
Other Christians may go so that their doubts are removed and are spiritually renewed.
Many Christians feel that worshipping in a holy place is more spiritually higher because of the atmosphere, activities and religious symbolisms that help with worship. Some may go with questions and return with answers, others may have difficulties understanding the Bible so to get a better understanding they may feel Lourdes is the appropriate place to visit.
Overall I think Christians mainly go to worship, find inner peace within themselves and come back spiritually healed which affect their lives.
B ii) What effects has pilgrimage on their lives?
Lourdes has had a great effect on people, not just mentally but also physically.
When I was watching the Lourdes video a lot of people were saying how pilgrimage has changed their lives. They said that they “found peace” and “felt the presence of God,” but the look on their faces said everything. They were so pleased and happy that they were there. The video showed the different activities that were taking place and some of the people taking part were crying, tears of joy.
By going on pilgrimage they will definitely come across the historic facts and practices of their religion resulting to helping them understand their faith/religion better.
Christians on pilgrimage will practise Jesus’ teachings; “Love thy neighbour.” I believe this is important because Christians will gain knowledge from this and practice.
Lourdes provides people with a great spiritual atmosphere and they are surrounded by Christian history. From this you may assume that pilgrimage will help anyone in worship.
In Mrs. Taylor’s interview she told us how her pilgrimage affected her and also her husband, who wasn’t religious. She said she gained “inner faith again.” Her visit to Lourdes brought back her faith and she also told us that she “would like to go back again.”
One person said, “I felt much better about myself and felt it much easier to cope with the terms that I had this disability!”
Lourdes has had an immense affect on, not only Mrs. Taylor but also many more people. It has this holy atmosphere that gives Christians the sensation of feeling closer to God, Jesus and also other religious people, (saints).
C) “There are more important things to do than go on pilgrimage.”
I agree with this statement because there are more important things a Christian can do. Pilgrimage is a matter of personal choice.
Christians may find trying to be a Christian in everyday life is much more important than pilgrimage. I think you can be a good Christian by meditating and showing your devotion to God with an honest heart. This is important than pilgrimage.
‘Life itself is a pilgrimage. There’s no need to go on any more travels.’ Christians may feel pilgrimage is a waste of time and is not needed. As Christians say to be a good follower you should follow the teachings of the Bible, the Bible doesn’t mention anything about going on a pilgrimage. The Bible teaches to spread the word of God and to ‘Love thy neighbour.’
Again because pilgrimage isn’t mentioned in the Bible and the Bible is the guidance of a true Christian life, then there are much more important things than pilgrimage.
Also Jesus’ teachings are important to Christians and His important teaching was ‘Love God and thy neighbour.’ Once a Christian does this they have united with God.
On the other hand, I disagree with this statement because I think it is important to for a Christian to experience the journey to Lourdes. I think Christians need to see for themselves the miraculous things that occurred in Lourdes.
Some Christians get closer to God during pilgrimage and may find it hard to understand the Bible through home meditation, so pilgrimage is an ideal place for worship and could also help Christians to have a better understanding of the Bible.
Pilgrimage can give Christians a lot of help. They can gain spiritual benefits from pilgrimage, which you can’t anywhere else. Pilgrimage could deepen Christians’ faith. Mrs. Taylor had told us “nothing could compare” to her experience she had on her pilgrimage, this tells us that pilgrimage plays an important role in many Christians lives and therefore every Christian should experience it.
Overall I think pilgrimage isn’t necessary but it has its advantages. It is a personal choice and the person should decide whether or not they think it is necessary to go on a pilgrimage in order to be a good Christian.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Believers in one God – Michael Keene
- Christianity – Kevin O’Donnel
- Internet
- Microsoft Encarta Encyclopaedia ‘99
