Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey that has religious or spiritual significance. The journey is usually taken to an important religious place. There are many sites of Christian pilgrimage, several of which are mentioned in the Bible as being significant in the life of Jesus, including The capital city of Israel when Jesus was alive. The city where he was crucified, buried and rose again..
Many Catholics believe that life is a pilgrimage towards A place, or a state of mind, associated with God and the afterlife. as they feel that they are on a journey towards God throughout their lives.
Pilgrimages evoke our earthly journey toward heaven.
Sites of Catholic pilgrimage
Lourdes
Lourdes is a famous pilgrimage site in France where the waters are believed to have healing powers.
In 1858, Bernadette Soubirous, a young local girl, was said to have seen the Mary, the mother of Jesus. at Lourdes and her friend was said to have been healed in the waters. Bernadette was made a saint by Pope Pius XI in 1933.
Often the water is taken home by pilgrims, and there have been many more stories of healings. However, Lourdes is often crowded with visitors, and many people say the site has become too Associated with business and profit., with shops selling souvenirs including statues of the Virgin Mary.
Walsingham
Walsingham is a small village in Norfolk where there is a Tomb or monument to a saint or other holy person.. In 1061, Richeldis de Faverches, a Saxon An old-fashioned term for an aristocratic woman., had a vision of the Mary, the mother of Jesus., mother of Jesus, and the house in Nazareth, which is located in Israel, where Mary lived. Since Richeldis was a noblewoman, she had the money to build a copy of the house that she had seen. This representation of the house in Richeldis鈥 vision is now called the Holy House.
Many Catholics living in the UK visit Walsingham, which is not as costly as going abroad to visit Jerusalem or Lourdes. This means that pilgrimage can be more inclusive as it is more accessible for Catholics regardless of whether they are rich or poor.
Many Catholic Christians who return from Walsingham feel that they are connected to the community of believers, having spent time praying and at A Roman Catholic service of worship that involves receiving Holy Communion. with many other Catholics.
Jerusalem
The Bible teaches that Jesus died in the city of Jerusalem, and still today it is possible to visit Jesus鈥 tomb. Catholics may undertake a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in order to share in Jesus鈥 life and suffering.
On returning from Jerusalem, many Catholics feel that their faith has been renewed.
Question
Why do Catholic Christians visit Walsingham?
Because Richeldis had a vision of the Virgin Mary there.