pilgrimage

what is a pilgrimage?

a pilgrimage is a journey to a special place of religious significance

why is pilgrimage so important to catholics today?

• provides time and space for prayer

• connection to other christians (including christians throughout history)

• allows christians to ‘journey’ closer to god

what does the CCC say about pilgrimage?

‘pilgrimages evoke our earthly journey toward heaven’

what is the significance of pilgrimages of the holy land?

you can pray at sites important in jesus’ life and understand the gospel better

why are places like Lourdes, Fatime, and Guadalupe important?

they are places where mary has appeared, often associated with miraculous occurrences

what is the significance of ecumenical pilgrimage sites like Croagh Patrick or the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi?

they help bring together christians of different denominations

why is jerusalem an important place of pilgrimage?

it is the place of jesus’ death and resurrection

how do christians have divergent views on jerusalem as a pilgrimage site?

it is a common pilgrimage site for all christians as it is based on jesus’ life

why is rome an important pilgrimage site for catholics?

it is the centre of catholic church and the home of the pope

why do some christians not consider rome as significant?

non-catholics do not recognise the authority of the pope, so they do not regard rome with the same importance

why is Lourdes a significant place of pilgrimage?

mary appeared to bernadette 18 times in 1858, and many healings have taken place there

why do some chistians not visit lourdes?

mainly a catholic pilgrimage site, as other christians do not elevate mary in the same way catholics do

why is walsingham important as a pilgrimage site?

in 1061, a noblewoman had three visions of the house where angel gabriel visited mary and built a replica

what is unique about walsingham in terms of christian pilgrimage?

it has both catholic and church of england shrines, making it a site for different christian traditions

why do some protestant denominations place less emphasis on pilgrimage?

they may encourage journeying and prayer, but pilgrimage is not central to christian life for them