Christianity: The Role and Importance of Pilgrimage and Celebrations to Christians

Question 1

Why are pilgrimages important?

Answer 1

• Part of a person’s spiritual journey
• Journey that takes someone to a place of religious significance
• Away from distractions; physically demanding; people may have a better understanding of themselves and their need for God.
• Most important to Roman Catholics and Orthodox
• Less important to Protestants

Question 2

What is the purpose of pilgrimage to Lourdes?

Answer 2

• A girl named Bernadette Soubirous claimed to have visions of the Virgin Mary, who predicted a water spring would appear in the grotto, and it did.
• The spring had healing powers and a Roman Catholic church was built there
• People still go there to be healed
• There have been over 7000 reported healings, and the Church has confirmed 69 miracles

Question 3

What is the purpose of pilgrimage to Jerusalem?

Answer 3

• The place Jesus lived and was crucified, buried and seen alive
• Can walk along the Via Dolorosa - ‘the way of sorrows’, where Jesus is believed to have travelled to his crucifixion
• Church of the Holy Sepulchre - believed to have been built over the spot where Jesus’s tomb was

Question 4

What is the purpose of pilgrimage to Walsingham?

Answer 4

• The Lady of the Manor had a vision of the Virgin Mary’s home in Nazareth
• She built the house according to how she saw it in her vision
• Many miracles are reported to have happened there

Question 5

What is the purpose of pilgrimage to Rome?

Answer 5

• Headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church
• St Peter’s Church is the largest Christian Church in the world and is said to have been built above the remains of St Peter.
• St Peter and St Paul were executed in Rome
• Home of the Pope

Question 6

What is the origin of Christmas?

Answer 6

• Celebrating Jesus’s birth
• God’s incarnation
• 25th December was originally a pagan festival celebrating the winter solstice

Question 7

What is the importance of Advent and Christmas celebrations?

Answer 7

Advent:
- Begins on 4th Sunday before the 25th of December
- Marks the start of the liturgical Church year in Roman Catholic and Anglican churches
- Represents the expectation of Jesus’s birth
- Preparing spiritually for Christmas
Christmas:
- Celebration of Jesus’s incarnation
- Hope for a new beginning, reconciliation with God
- Helping those less fortunate
- Fasting (Orthodox) to think more of others

Question 8

What is the origin of Easter?

Answer 8

• Jewish Passover
• Recalls Jesus’s sacrifice which brought salvation and eternal life
• Celebrates defeat over death:
  “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said” (Matthew 28:5-6)
• Reminder of the grace and mercy of God and the need to act in the same way towards others

Question 9

What is the importance of Lent?

Answer 9

• Fasting or giving up something (usually sweets or alcohol)
• Lasts 40 days
• Commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness after his baptism, during which he was tempted by Satan, but resisted temptation.
• Christians also try to resist temptation.

Question 10

What is the importance of Palm Sunday?

Answer 10

• Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling an Old Testament prophecy.
• The people welcomed him, shouting ‘Hosanna’ and waving palm branches.
• Now, crosses are made of palm leaves (or big palm branches in some churches).
• Christians reflect on their faithfulness to Jesus (the crowds in Jerusalem later called for his death).

Question 11

What is the importance of Maundy Thursday?

Answer 11

• Commemorates Jesus’s Last Supper, where he washed his disciples feet, established the Eucharist, revealed that one of them would betray him, and commanded the disciples to love each other like Jesus had loved them: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example” (John 13:14-15)
• Celebrated by the minister washing the feet of his congregation
• Often it is a Communion service to celebrate the establishment of the Eucharist
• It is a reminder that Jesus came to serve, and so should they.

Question 12

What is the importance of Good Friday?

Answer 12

• Remember’s Jesus’s crucifixion.
• Service at the cross: a 3-hour long service starting at 12, to mark Jesus’s time spent on the cross
• Christians meditate on Jesus’s death and the sin of humanity that made it necessary for Him to die
• In many denominations (e.g. Roman Catholic), worshippers will visit each of the fourteen Stations of the Cross and pray at each one.
• Thankfulness to God for sacrificing his son to redeem humanity.
• Reminds Christians that God understands human suffering and He will understand them if they prey to Him.

Question 13

What is the importance of Holy Saturday?

Answer 13

• Many Churches keep an Easter Vigil
• Paschal candle used, with 5 pieces of incense to commemorate the 5 wounds Jesus received on the cross
• Each member of the congregation lights a candle from the Paschal candle
• Baptisms take place
• The story of salvation history is read

Question 14

What is the importance of Easter Sunday?

Answer 14

• Candles and banners are put back up, there are floral displays
• In Catholic and Anglican churches, the ministers will wear white
• Service full of praise
• Hymns sung celebrating Jesus’s triumph over death
• Baptism may take place to symbolise new life
• Celebration of salvation
• Brings back the hope of eternal life in Heaven