YEAR 10 · UNIT 22: CHRISTIANITY — PRACTICES (PART 2) · LESSON 1
What You'll Learn
Understand what pilgrimage is, why it matters to Christians, and explore two major pilgrimage sites: Lourdes and Iona. You'll examine different Christian perspectives on pilgrimage and evaluate whether it remains relevant today.
Recall from Unit 21
Recall what you learned last lesson about Christian worship
5:00
In this unit, you'll build on your understanding of Christian worship and practice. Let's remind ourselves of the key concepts.
What does "faith" mean in Christianity?
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: Faith is trust and belief in God, a core element of Christian practice.
Name one way Christians worship together.
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: Christians worship in churches through prayer, singing, and listening to sermons.
What is a sacrament?
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: A sacrament is a sacred ritual or ceremony in Christianity, like Baptism and Communion.
Why are religious places important to Christians?
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: Religious places are where believers gather to worship, pray, and strengthen their community bonds.
Understanding Pilgrimage
What is Pilgrimage?
Pilgrimage is a spiritual journey to a sacred place. For Christians, pilgrimage is an act of devotion, often undertaken to:
Seek spiritual growth
Show faith and commitment
Ask for healing or help
Experience community worship
Why Pilgrimage Matters
The Bible shows many examples of pilgrims. Jesus himself journeyed to Jerusalem for Passover. For centuries, Christians have walked to holy sites as a form of prayer and penance.
Pilgrimage is not required for salvation, but many Christians see it as a powerful spiritual practice that deepens their faith.
Two Key Christian Pilgrimage Sites
Lourdes (France)
One of the world's major Christian pilgrimage sites.
Why: Vision of Mary reported by Bernadette Soubirous in 1858
Visitors: Around 5 million pilgrims per year, many seeking physical or spiritual healing
Iona (Scotland)
An island pilgrimage site in the Scottish Hebrides.
Why: Founded by St Columba in 563 CE as a monastic community
Focus: Celtic Christianity, prayer, reflection, community
Key Features: Ancient monastery, quiet contemplation, nature
Visitors: Christians seeking peace, spiritual renewal, and connection to early Christian heritage
Scripture Connection
Psalm 84:5: "Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion."
This psalm celebrates spiritual pilgrimage as a journey that draws believers closer to God.
Perspectives on Pilgrimage
Catholic and Orthodox Christianity
For Catholics and Orthodox Christians, pilgrimage is an important spiritual practice. The journey itself is seen as worship—not just the arrival at the sacred site. Pilgrims pray while walking, making the whole experience transformative.
Lourdes: Catholics visit seeking Mary's intercession for healing and spiritual help. The pilgrimage is an act of devotion.
Protestant Christianity
Many Protestants emphasize a more personal, internal relationship with God. While some Protestants do go on pilgrimages, others argue that pilgrimage to physical places is less central to faith.
Focus: Prayer, scripture study, and community worship are viewed as equally valid spiritual practices.
Real-World Example: Iona Today
The Iona Community welcomes pilgrims of all backgrounds. Visitors engage in:
Daily prayer services
Group worship
Quiet reflection and nature walks
Discussions about faith and social justice
For many pilgrims, Iona represents a chance to step away from daily life and reconnect with their faith in community.
Apply Your Knowledge
Activity: Sort Pilgrimage Features
Drag each feature to the correct pilgrimage site. Think about what makes each site special and why pilgrims visit.
Vision of MaryCeltic ChristianityHealing bathsScottish islandBernadette SoubirousMonastic communityModern miracles reportedAncient monasteryMeditation and reflection5 million visitors annually
Lourdes
Iona
Evaluate: Is Pilgrimage Outdated?
Essay question (12 marks): "Pilgrimage is an outdated practice." Evaluate this statement.
Essay Guidance
What to include:
Arguments FOR pilgrimage being outdated (e.g., modern communication, skepticism about miracles)
Arguments AGAINST it being outdated (e.g., healing testimonies, spiritual renewal, community bonds)
Reference to Lourdes or Iona as evidence
Different Christian perspectives (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox)
A balanced conclusion
Structure: Introduction → Point 1 + evidence → Point 2 + evidence → Counterargument → Conclusion
Key Statements to Consider
"Pilgrimage requires physical journey; modern prayer online is sufficient."
"Thousands of pilgrims still visit Lourdes each year seeking healing—pilgrimage is alive and vital."
"Environmental and carbon concerns make long pilgrimages unsustainable."
"The pilgrimage experience—community, reflection, commitment—cannot be replicated online."
Review Your Learning
Test yourself on the key concepts from this lesson.
What is pilgrimage?
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: A spiritual journey to a sacred place undertaken as an act of devotion.
Why is Lourdes a major pilgrimage site?
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: Because of Bernadette Soubirous's reported vision of Mary in 1858, and associations with healing and miracles.
What makes Iona special as a pilgrimage destination?
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: It is an ancient Celtic Christian monastery founded by St Columba, offering spiritual renewal and reflection.
How do Catholic and Protestant views on pilgrimage differ?
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: Catholics see pilgrimage as central spiritual practice; many Protestants emphasize personal prayer and scripture as equally valid.
What does Psalm 84:5 suggest about pilgrimage?
🔒Reveal answer
Answer: It celebrates the spiritual journey itself as drawing believers closer to God (highways to Zion).