Catholic Christianity & Pilgrimage (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A) : Revision Note

The role & importance of pilgrimage

• A pilgrimage is a religious journey to a holy place that has spiritual, historical or Biblical significance 

• The journey also marks an inward spiritual journey for the person

• There is a long history of pilgrimage in Christianity and there are many sites of Christian pilgrimage, including Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the Holy Land

• For Catholics, pilgrimage is not compulsory but is an important part of the faith

• The role and importance of pilgrimage for a believer is:

  • A way to strengthen and renew their faith 

  • A opportunity to feel closer to God, for example, by walking in the same places where Jesus walked or where miracles happened

  • A chance to learn more about the history of the faith and gain a deeper understanding of important events and people

  • A time to pray at the places associated with saints or visions in the hope of healing, forgiveness or blessings, or to give thanks to God

  • A chance to join with others visiting these important places and feel part of the worldwide Catholic community

• Some people are unable to travel on pilgrimage to locations away from their home

  • They can still take part in pilgrimage

    • For example, they can take part in the Stations of the Cross in their local church, which is a form of pilgrimage

• Catholics view all of life as a pilgrimage or journey towards God in heaven

  • The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches this, saying:

Places of pilgrimage

• Although there are many Christian places of pilgrimage, some locations are specifically Catholic sites of pilgrimage

• Some of the most important sites include:

  • Lourdes

  • Walsingham

  • Rome

  • Jerusalem 

Lourdes, France

• Lourdes in France is one of the most popular sites of Catholic pilgrimage

• In 1858 a 14-year-old girl called Bernadette Soubirous saw 18 visions of the Virgin Mary

• In the visions, Mary told Bernadette to dig in the ground and a spring appeared

• Bernadette’s friend is believed to have been healed in the waters of the spring

• A number of unexpected healings and cures have taken place since that time, and several have been called miracles

• Today, large numbers of pilgrims visit Lourdes each year, including many who are ill and in the hope of healing

• Although they may not be healed physically, many people say that they feel strengthened and have a deeper faith in God after their pilgrimage

• Bernadette was declared a saint in 1933 by Pope Pius XI

Walsingham, England

• Walsingham in Norfolk is a popular site of pilgrimage for Catholics in England

• In 1061 a woman called Richeldis de Faverches had a vision of the Virgin Mary and saw the house in Nazareth where Mary had lived

• Because Faverches was a rich noblewoman, she could afford to have a copy of Mary’s house in her vision built in Walsingham

• This is now known as the Holy House, and is a place of pilgrimage

• Pilgrims often walk the last mile to the Holy House to represent journeying towards God’s presence

• The Holy House allows Catholics who cannot go to Jerusalem or Lourdes to be able to take part in a pilgrimage and pray and take part in Mass with other believers 

Rome, Italy

• Rome in Italy is the centre of the Catholic Church 

• Vatican City within Rome is the home of the Pope and the headquarters of the Catholic Church

^{Rome, Vatican, Italy, St Peter’s Square by Vyacheslav Argenberg is licensed under CC BY 4.0}

• Rome also contains many relics, holy buildings and sites connected with the history of the faith

• Among the sites of historical importance in Rome is the burial place of St Peter, Jesus’ apostle who was given authority to become the first leader of the Church. All Popes are direct successors to St Peter

• Therefore Rome is a place of great historical importance for Catholics worldwide

• Catholics visit Rome on pilgrimage to pray at the holy sites and to show their unity with believers worldwide

Jerusalem, Israel

• Jerusalem is a holy city for all Christians because it is where Jesus was crucified

• Catholics may travel to Jerusalem on pilgrimage to visit the places where Jesus walked and retrace his footsteps

• Many Christians visit the tomb where Jesus was buried

• This journey allows pilgrims to share in Jesus’ life and suffering

• From Jerusalem it is also possible to visit other locations in the Holy Land where Jesus lived and taught

• Going on pilgrimage to Jerusalem can be a powerful experience for many Catholics and can make them more committed to their faith when they return to their day-to-day lives

Different Christian views about the importance of pilgrimage

• For Catholics, all forms of pilgrimage provide the opportunity to confirm and renew their faith

• For other Christians, pilgrimage may not be considered as so important

• They might say that there is no need to travel to faraway places to get close to God

  • It is more important to remain close to God in their everyday lives and it is enough to pray to God in their local church. 

• Some Christians would say that all of life is a pilgrimage towards God and therefore every action should be seen as an opportunity to reflect on their inner spiritual journey

• They might argue that the money and time spent on pilgrimages could be better used to help those in need instead