Pilgrimage

• What is a pilgrimage?

  • A pilgrimage is a journey made by a believer to a holy site for religious reasons 
  • As well as making a physical journey to a sacred place, the pilgrim also makes a spiritual journey towards God 
  • A pilgrimage gives many opportunities towards for prayer and worship, and is an act of worship and devotion 
  • Two popular pilgrimage sites for Christians are Lourdes (a town in France) and Iona (a Scottish Island)

  
• Reasons to go on pilgrimage (Part 1)

  • To grow closer to God 
  • To strengthen faith in God 
  • To be forgiven for sin 
  • To reflect on one’s life 
  • To pray for something special

  
• Reasons to go on pilgrimage (Part 2)

  • To thank God for a blessing 
  • To seek a cure for illness 
  • To help other pilgrims who are disabled or ill 
  • To experience a holy place
  • To meet others who share the same faith

  
• How does a pilgrimage impact a Christians life?

  • It can give them a better understanding of their faith 
  • It can renew their enthusiasm for living a Christian life 
  • It can help them to see their problems in a new light 
  • It can help them to feel cleansed from sin 
  • It can help them feel more connected to the Christian community 
  • It can give them a good feeling about helping other pilgrims who are disabled or ill

  
• What is the significance of Lourdes?

  • Lourdes is where Mary , Jesus’ mother is said to have appeared in a number of visions to a girl called Bernadette 
  • Mary told Bernadette to dig in the ground, and when she did a spring of water appeared 
  • The water is believed to have healing properties, and a number of healing miracles are claimed to have taken place here

  
• What activités do pilgrims partake in at Lourdes?

  • Pilgrims go to Lourdes to bathe in the waters of the spring , or to help other pilgrims who are ill or disabled to bathe in the waters 
  • Pilgrims also pray for healing or forgiveness 
  • They may recite the rosary together

  
• What is the significance of Iona?

  • Iona is where St Columba established a monastic community in the 6th century AD 
  • The community now has an ecumenical centre where pilgrims can stay

  
• What activities do pilgrims partake in at Iona?

  • Because it is quite, peaceful and a place of natural beauty, pilgrims can spend time praying , reading the Bible, and reflecting or meditating 
  • Pilgrims can also attend services in the abbey church, take part in workshops and visit the island’s holy or historic sites