Pilgrimage

What is a pilgrimage?

Why is it different to other special journeys?

Photo courtesy of Roland Darré - granted under creative commons licence - attribution

Christianity and PilgrimageThere are different views on pilgrimage in Christianity.

Going on pilgrimage is important to some Christians, whereas others do not believe it is that important.

are mentioned in the New Testament in the Bible, especially the Holy Land;

are associated with saints or miracles.

The Christians who do go on pilgrimage tend to go to places because they:

LourdesThe pilgrimage site of Lourdes is near the Pyrenees mountains in France.

Every year, it is visited by millions of pilgrims, particularly Roman Catholics. They come to Lourdes to see the site of a famous vision experienced by a young girl called Bernadette Soubirous and to be healed by its supposedly miraculous waters.

Watch the video about Lourdes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xNUkYL1_Po

Bernadette Soubirous was born in 1844 to a poor miller. One day, while collecting firewood, Bernadette is said to have seen Mary, the mother of Jesus, dressed in white with a blue sash and a yellow rose on each foot. Bernadette is said to have witnessed the same vision many times.During one vision, the figure of Mary asked Bernadette to drink at the spring beneath her feet. Even though this area was muddy, the next day, the ground flowed with clear water. Bernadette was then told to have a chapel built in the exact spot where the vision had taken place.Christian pilgrims now visit and pray in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes and worship at the grotto where the vision is said to have taken place.

A statue of the lady referred to as ‘Our

Lady of Lourdes’ was built in the

place where Bernadette saw her.

Original spring discovered by Saint Bernadette in

Lourdes in 1858.

Pilgrims also take part in a Torchlight Marian Procession which takes place every evening before a service of mass takes place in the grotto. Pilgrims also confess their sins at the Reconciliation Chapel.

People collect the holy water from

the spring to take home.

Torchlight procession

Nature and importanceLourdes is considered a special place to visit because prayers and services are believed to bring real blessings to the pilgrim.Pilgrims may visit to be cleansed of their sins and to be cured of their illnesses. It is believed that spring water from the grotto can heal people if they are sick. Millions of visitors come to Lourdes each year in the hope of being cured.The International Medical Committee of Lourdes began in 1947 and passes judgement on whether or not any of the healings that take place in Lourdes are miracles. By 2015, 69 cases had been recognised as miracles by the Roman Catholic Church.The opportunity to focus closely on their faith helps pilgrims feel secure in the knowledge that God will look after them, forgive them for their sins and even cure them of their illnesses.

Pilgrimages to Places Related to Saints or Miracles

This is a site where Bernadette

Soubirous saw visions of Mary, Jesus’ mother. A spring was found and pilgrims go

there as they believe the water is holy

and can help cure them.

The Grotto, Lourdes (France)

You are going to research Lourdes and record your findings in a way of your

choice.

Where is Lourdes?What happened there?

Why do pilgrims travel to Lourdes?What do pilgrims do when they get

there?How would visiting Lourdes affect

the life of a Catholic? How would it change the way they live? Use examples to support your point