R.E.

- Year 5
Week 11
What does a pilgrimage mean
to a Christian?
22/6/20 – 26/6/20
 L.O: I understand what a pilgrimage means to a Christian?

What is a pilgrim?
It’s a person who travels to a holy place as an act of *religious devotion.
(*to show their loyalty to, and love of, their religion).
What is a pilgrimage?
A pilgrimage is the journey pilgrims take to a place of worship that is usually far away. They may have to go to a different city
or country. Usually a pilgrimage is done for spiritual or religious reasons. The 5th Pillar of Islam states that all Muslims who are
able to, should do a pilgrimage to Mecca. This is called Hajj.

We looked at Hajj, in Week 5 when millions of pilgrims arrive in Mecca and perform a series of rituals. You can go back and
refresh your memory if you need to.
This week we will be looking at Christian pilgrimages.

Christian Pilgrimages
• There are different views on pilgrimage in Christianity.
• Going on pilgrimage is important to some Christians, whereas others do not believe it is that important.
• The Christians who do go on pilgrimage tend to go to places because they are mentioned in the Bible, especially the Holy Land or they are
associated with saints or miracles.
 Where do the Christians go on their Pilgrimages?

The Holy Land

Mount Sinai (Egypt) Bethlehem (Palestine)

This is where Moses received the A stable in Bethlehem is where the Bible
Ten Commandments from God. says Jesus was born.

Nazareth (Israel)
This is where Jesus
lived as a young child.
As an adult, he was
known as Jesus of
Nazareth. Jerusalem (Israel/Palestine)
This is the city where Jesus died on the cross.
 Where do the Christians go on their Pilgrimages?

Places related to Saints or Miracles

The Grotto, Lourdes (France) Santiago de Compostela (Spain)

This is a site where Bernadette Saint James, one of the twelve
Soubirous saw visions of Mary, disciples of Jesus, is believed to be
Jesus’ mother. A spring was buried in the cathedral.
found and pilgrims go there as
they believe the water is holy
St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome (Italy)
and can help cure them.
Saint Peter, disciple of Jesus and
first Bishop of Rome, is believed to
be buried here. It is now the home
of the Pope, who is the leader of
the Roman Catholic Church.
What do Christians do as part of their Pilgrimages?
• They pray and feel closer to God and Jesus by visiting the special places and believe by
doing this they may gain a better understanding of their beliefs and have the
opportunity to show their devotion to their religion through worship.
• They go on a pilgrimage to visit a place, to admire its treasures of nature, art or history.
• But most importantly, a pilgrimage really means to Christians that they can step out of
themselves so that they can encounter God and Jesus.

TASK:
 Research the following 4 places of pilgrimage in the UK.
 Write a few of sentences for each as to why they are places of pilgrimage.

1. Walsingham, England.
2. Canterbury Cathedral, England.
3. Iona, Scotland.
4. St. David’s Cathedral, Wales.