Huiyu sun                   10TG

GCSE Coursework - Pilgrimage

What is pilgrimage?

Pilgrimage is an important part of spiritual life for many Christians. Christians see life itself as a journey, coming from God and returning to God. The pilgrim seeks to separate himself from the everyday concerns of the world, and to spend time in the presence of God as he travels to a place of special meaning. A pilgrimage is a symbol that is acted out.

A pilgrimage involves a two-way journey, a journey of the heart towards God through the physical and often uncomfortable journey to a holy place.

The pilgrimage is speaking between God and yourself.

  Pilgrimages were first made to sites connected with the life, birth and crucifixion of Jesus. Surviving descriptions of Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land date from the 4th century, when pilgrimage was encouraged by church fathers like Saint Jerome. Pilgrimages also began to be made to Rome and other sites associated with the Apostles, Saints and Christian martyrs, as well as to places where there have been alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary.

Back in the Middle-Ages pilgrimages were very popular. Pilgrimage was long and very dangerous - not at all like a holiday! It may have taken many years. The pilgrims would usually travel in groups, and stay in monasteries or inns overnight.

The golden era of pilgrimages was, unsurprisingly, the Middle-Ages. Rome, Cologne, Santiago Compostela, Canterbury and Walsingham are but a few of the places which were not only key places of pilgrimage, but also cultural and economic centres.

During the Reformation many pilgrimage centres were destroyed, yet the idea of pilgrimage remained strong in the minds of many Christians. In Chartres Cathedral a labyrinth is detailed on the floor, on which people would make an inner journey; a pilgrimage without an arduous physical journey. At the same time the Stations of the Cross were developed for those unable to walk the actual journey Jesus made in Jerusalem. These symbolic journeys are still as powerful today with the addition of the Way of Resurrection and many other aids to prayerful inner journeys.

Join now!

  There in no obligation on a Christian to go on pilgrimage. However, Hindu’s and Muslim’s are obliged to take part in a pilgrimage.

  Many Christians over the years have taken part in pilgrimage to holy places. Pilgrimage is of interest to Roman Catholics and pilgrimage is largely not a part of the protestant tradition.

Why people go to pilgrimage?

  It is clearly shown in the life of Jesus how important pilgrimage is. Jesus made pilgrimage when he was growing up and the climax of salvation happened whilst on pilgrimage. The Holy Spirit came with great power ...

This is a preview of the whole essay