An approach to pilgrimage, which is very unique to Lourdes, is the miracles that are claimed to happen. This is one of the reasons why over 2 million pilgrims go to Lourdes every year. A focus at Lourdes is a spring, which is believed to have miraculous healing powers as the Virgin Mary blessed it. Many sick or disabled people come to Lourdes hoping to be healed by God or in some way become empowered to deal with their illness. To do this they visit a place in Lourdes called the grotto, the site of the holy spring, and bathe themselves in the water. Most other sites of pilgrimage do not offer anything like healing but take a different approach.
A main feature of Lourdes is that people enjoy themselves. There are many exciting processions and youth activities, which give Lourdes a more child friendly approach to pilgrimage.
At Lourdes there are also masses in which many people go to. This helps people pray as a real community. There are also active ways in which people can praise Jesus and Mary. This is through symbolic processions in which everyone has candles to represent God’s Love and also to remember Jesus, the ‘light of the world’.
A way in which Lourdes is also different to other places of pilgrimage is the fact that it is predominantly a Catholic pilgrimage. This means that strong Catholic figures are remembered such as the Virgin Mary
Lourdes has also become commercialised in a way with many gift shops and café’s in the area. Many would say this is the wrong approach to pilgrimage.
A place of pilgrimage with a very different approach would be Lough Durg. This is a far more simple and plain pilgrimage. Far fewer people visit Lough Durg than Lourdes. This has the effect of making the pilgrimage somewhat purer for many Christians.
At Lough Durg the approach is for people to give thanks to God. Lough Durg is almost like punishment as the pilgrims have limited food, are forced to walk around barefoot and are disconnected from the outside world.
Penance is a major part of the Lough Durg experience. Pilgrims show to God how devoted they are to him by living in very basic conditions. One way in which pilgrims show how devote they are to good is not sleeping for twenty-four hours and eating nothing more than tea, coffee and biscuits. It is also a way of showing that the modern world is no replacement for God.
Another important site of pilgrimage is the Holy Land. Jerusalem is an extremely important city in Jesus’ life. This is the city in which Jesus was crucified.
In Jerusalem Jesus spent the last few days of his life. Pilgrims remember Jesus in a number of ways. Most pilgrims come to Jerusalem during the Easter period because this is the time that Christians remember Jesus death.
Pilgrims follow in Jesus’ footsteps to try to feel Jesus’ presence. One way in which pilgrims can do this is in the many mass services that are carried out. These services are usually dedicated to the last days of Jesus.
Another popular activity for pilgrims at Jerusalem to do is walk the path Jesus took when carrying his cross. This route is known as the Via Dolorosa and pilgrims follow this route on Good Friday. The start point is the site of Pontius Pilate’s headquarters to the site where Jesus was crucified.
Pilgrims take part in the Stations of the Cross. This is when people remember or re-enact the final few hours of Jesus’ life.
Another experience pilgrims at Jerusalem can take part in is visiting the famous Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This is important for Christians because it contains the site of the crucifixion and the tomb of Jesus. When Christians visit this church it often helps them to remember and become close to Jesus.
This church was built by the Roman Emperor Constantine after it was requested by the first ever pilgrim to the site. This adds even more significance to this holy church.
All three places have very different approaches to pilgrimage and at the sites different facets of Christianity are remembered. However, all sites of pilgrimage are important to pilgrims and help them to develop a stronger faith.