Pilgrimage is an important part of spiritual life for many Christians; seeing life itself as a journey, coming from God and returning to God. A pilgrim seeks to separate themselves from the everyday concerns of the world, and to spend time in the presence of God as they travels to a place of special meaning. A pilgrimage is a symbol that is acted out.
The Church is sometimes described as a pilgrim people. Back in the Middle Ages pilgrimages were very popular. It was not like going on holiday. Pilgrimages often took years. Journeys were long and dangerous and many died en route. They usually travelled in groups and would stay in monasteries or hostels on the way. Pilgrims undertook these journeys to holy places because it was important for their faith. If they had committed sins they believed that by going on a pilgrimage they could show God how sorry they were.
According to tradition St. James the Greater, preached Christianity in Spain and on returning to Judea was put to death by order of Herod. His body was then miraculously translated to Iria Flavia in the northwest of Spain, and later to Compostela. This town, especially during the Middle Ages, became one of the most famous places of pilgrimage in the world. In the twelfth century the Order of Knights of St. James of Compostela was founded to protect pilgrims on the path.
Pilgrimage is about Journeying more than it is about the destination. The Celtic monks of old would set out on a pilgrimage with no known destination. Some say say this is how St Brendan discovered America! I am a Celt at heart but having a destination helps me wander, and so I will journey through Northern Spain on the path to Santiago.
The Church is sometimes described as a pilgrim people. Back in the Middle Ages pilgrimages were very popular. It was not like going on holiday. Pilgrimages often took years. Journeys were long and dangerous and many died en route. They usually travelled in groups and would stay in monasteries or hostels on the way. Pilgrims undertook these journeys to holy places because it was important for their faith. If they had committed sins they believed that by going on a pilgrimage they could show God how sorry they were.
According to tradition St. James the Greater, preached Christianity in Spain and on returning to Judea was put to death by order of Herod. His body was then miraculously translated to Iria Flavia in the northwest of Spain, and later to Compostela. This town, especially during the Middle Ages, became one of the most famous places of pilgrimage in the world. In the twelfth century the Order of Knights of St. James of Compostela was founded to protect pilgrims on the path.
Pilgrimage is about Journeying more than it is about the destination. The Celtic monks of old would set out on a pilgrimage with no known destination. Some say say this is how St Brendan discovered America! I am a Celt at heart but having a destination helps me wander, and so I will journey through Northern Spain on the path to Santiago.
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