Pilgrimage

Question 1

What is a pilgrimage?

Answer 1

A journey by a believer to a holy site for religious reasons. It is an act of worship and devotion.

Question 2

Why do many Christians go on a pilgrimage?

Answer 2

• grow closer to God and strengthen their faith.
• express sorrow for sins and be forgiven
• reflect on their lives, particularly when facing a crisis or a big decision
• pray for something or thank god for a blessing.
• seek a cure for an illness.
• help other pilgrims who are ill or disabled.
• experience a holy place
• meet others who share their faith
• to gain a better understanding of their faith and renewed enthusiasm for living a Christian life.

Question 3

Pilgrimage is compulsory for all Christians - true or false

Answer 3

false

Question 4

significance of lourdes

Answer 4

• where Mary is said to have appeared in a number of visions to a young girl called Bernadette.
• bernadette was told to dig in the ground by mary, when she did and a spring of water appeared
• the water is believed to have healing properties and a number of healing miracles are claimed to have taken place here.
• many go on the pilgrimage for healing, whether spiritually or physically

Question 5

activities in Lourdes

Answer 5

• pilgrims bathe in water sof spring or help other pilgrims who are ukk or disabled to bathe in waters.
• pilgrims also pray for healing or forigiveness
• may recite rosary together

Question 6

What is Iona?

Answer 6

• island off the west coast of Scotland that acts as a pilgrimage sight for Christians
• where st columba established a monastic community in 6th centrury AD
• now has ecuemenical centre where pilgrims can stay

Question 7

Activities in Iona

Answer 7

• place is quiet, peaceful and a place of natural beauty, pilgrims can pray, read Bible and reflect or meditate.
• also attend service in the abbey church, do workshops and visit holy or historic sites

Question 8

how do christians feel after returning from pilgrimage?

Answer 8

they return from the pilgrimage feeling refreshed and renewed, with a new vitality to cope with the demands of life

Question 9

importance of pilgrimage

Answer 9

• enables time to be taken out from every day lives.
• offers an opportunity for spiritual growth
• makes time to pray and meditate
• might have a specific purpose for going - e.g going to Lourdes for healing
• meeting Christians from other cultures, deepens their faith as they gain new insights

Question 10

views against pilgrimage

Answer 10

• often costly and bad stewardship. money could be put o a better use
• not necessary. spiritual development can be gained through regular church attendance and daily bible reading and prayer
• reading about Jesus and the history of the pilgrimages gives the same insights as the pilgrimage
• any spiritual ‘high’ may be temporary and the effects may soon wear off