2.6 - Pilgrimage Flashcards
What is a pilgrimage?
A journey made for religious reasons, alone or with other Christians, to a sacred place. The believer makes a physical journey, but it is also a spiritual journey towards God.
Pilgimage is an opportunity for what?
It gives many opportunities for prayer and worship, and is itself an act of worship as believers show devotion to God by choosing to go.
Why do pilgrims visit the Holy Land?
They visit the holy land, particulalry Jerusalem, because it is where Jesus lived, died and was ressurrected and where Christianity was started.
List three motives for pilgrimage
Some possible asnswers were:
grow closer to God and strengthen their faith
express sorrow for sin and be forgiven
reflect on their lives, particularly when facing a crisis or big decision
pray for something special or thank God for a blessing
seek a cure for an illness
help other pilgrims who are diabled or ill
experience a holy place
meet others who share their faith
whilst pilgrimage is not compulsory, it does what?
plays a huge role in a Christian’s spiritual life. They often come back with a better understanding of their faith and renewed enthusiasm for living a Christian life.
What is the name of the pilgrimage site in South-West France?
Lourdes
Why is Lourdes a place of pilgrimage?
Recite the story of how it came to be a religious destination. What happened there? Why is it important?
It is dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus. In 1845, a young girl named Bernadette had visions of Mary in a grotto near the river. Bernadette spoke of praying the rosary with mary who looked lovingly upon her. Mary told Bernadette to dig for a spring of water, which was discovered to have healing properties. Now, thousands of pilgrims visit Lourdes to pray at the grotto where Mary appeared, to recite the rosary together, and to bathe in the water where it is claimed that 67 miracles and over 6000 other cures have taken place.
What and where is Iona?
It is a smalll island off the West coast of scotland.
Why is Iona a place of pilgrimage?
Recite the story of how it came to be a religious destination. What happened there? Why is it important?
In the 6th century AD, St Columba, an Irish missionary who brought Christianity to Scotland, established a small monastic community there. It is now the home of the Ecumenical Iona Community and a place of Christian pilgrimage dedicated to Virgin Mary.
Some people believe it is a ‘thin place’, where the veil between the spirirtual and the physical world is thin.
Because Iona is remote and windswept, it is what for many pilgrims?
For many pilgrims, it feels like a place where nature reveals God’s infinite power and presence.
Pilgrims often stay at the Abbey church when visiting Iona.
Name some of the activities they may partake in during their stay.
A daily service in the Abbey church
a seven mile hike to the island’s holy and historic spots
conducts workshops on Christian themes.
they might be asked to help out with chores and meals
there is dedicated time for silence and reading the Bible or enjoying the area’s natural beauty.
