1. Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson you should be able to:

• Explain the meaning of the term Pilgrimage
• State 3 or more examples of places of pilgrimage
• List at least 3 reasons why people go on pilgrimages.

2. Pilgrimage or Holiday?

People who belong to a religion sometimes go on a special journey to a sacred place for a spiritual experience.  This journey is called a pilgrimage. Pilgrims usually visit a place because it is linked to a person or an event that is important in their religion.

  Task: Explain the difference between going on a holiday & going on  a pilgrimage.

   (Hint: define each, give examples & reasons for going.)

3. Examples

Name three places where something significant happened in the past – they do not need to be religious. Which would you most like to visit & why?

4. Hindus to the Ganges

5. Muslims to Mecca

6. Jerusalem

7. Christian Pilgrimages

Christian pilgrimages began in the late 4th century when St. Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine claimed to have discovered the remains of Jesus’ cross in Jerusalem. Constantine built the Holy sepulchre church over the site and people began to come to Jerusalem to see it for themselves. By the Middle Ages pilgrims were travelling in groups of thousands to the Holy Land shrines.

8. Holidays?

Are pilgrimages just holidays?

No - they usually lasted a lot longer and could be full of danger

9. Purpose

What is the purpose of a pilgrimage?