In the Christian pilgrimage tradition, the practice revolves around visiting either sites significant in the Bible — particularly those concerning the life of Christ — or in the lives of saints, or paying reverence to holy relics. The three main destinations of Christian pilgrimage are Jerusalem, Rome, and Santiago de Compostela, and for most pilgrims throughout history reaching these sites was a prolonged and possibly dangerous endeavour. However, smaller and more local pilgrimage sites — such as Canterbury Cathedral in England or the Holy House of Loreto in Italy — also enjoyed great popularity.
Although the twelfth century is largely considered to have been the golden age of Christian pilgrimage, it remained a devotional practice throughout the following centuries. Evidence of pilgrimages throughout history still surrounds us, if one knows where and how to look. In art, pilgrims are often recognizable by their attributes: staff, cloak, large-brimmed hat, small satchel a "scrip" , flask, worn boots, and the scallop shell.
The modern pilgrimage, while still a strictly religious exercise for many, has also been embraced as a more fluidly spiritual experience, open to all participants, regardless of their beliefs. In the seventh century St. Aidan established a monastery on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne in Northumberland, over which Lindisfarne Castle presides.
The site has a long history as a pilgrimage destination, accessible to pilgrims via a causeway that can only be traversed when the tide is low. The White Cliffs of Dover are an iconic coastal landmark overlooking the narrowest part of the English Channel.
They have historically been a point of embarkation for the European continent, including for English pilgrims bound for Rome. European pilgrims would likewise have landed on the shores of Dover and made their way inland to Canterbury. It was renamed Ysbyty Ifan meaning hospital of St John after it came to the attention of the Knights of St John, an order of Hospitallers, who were bound to protect pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land and on religious journeys.
Ysbyty Ifan is now our largest agricultural estate. Red House is the iconic home commissioned, created and lived in by William Morris, the artist and writer who was a key figure in the British Arts and Crafts Movement. The house itself is deliberately situated near Watling Way, an ancient pilgrimage route to Canterbury. It is also becoming increasingly common to go on a pilgrimage simply for the newness and adventure of the experience.
Some pilgrimages permit only believers of specific religions, but because pilgrimages are a common practice worldwide, there are many locations to choose from. People go on pilgrimages for many reasons, many of which are unique and personal to the individuals themselves.
Some of the most common reasons include the following:. Every pilgrimage has its own set of experiences and atmospheres. Yet, regardless of the difference in religious focus, it is the embarking on a journey, whether physical or otherwise, that truly makes pilgrimages so significant. They offer hope and healing and a reminder that, in the rich and colorful human family, we are all travelers.
Have you gone on a pilgrimage or journey to discover yourself,seek a better connection with God, or connect with your ancestry and heritage? FamilySearch Blog. Rich Harter Director harterr archmil.
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