Describe a visit to a Christian place of pilgrimage.
Christians go on pilgrimage for many reasons, some of which are discussed below:.
Most pilgrims go on pilgrimage to show their faith in God, to pray and get close to him. Visitors to the Holy Land want to visit the places described in the Bible which they believe are sacred, where Jesus lived and carried out his ministry. Visiting these places helps them to stay close to God, partly because they are devoting some of their time to God.
Although Christians can pray to God in any place and at any time, some feel that being in a place of pilgrimage can help them in their prayer. They go on pilgrimages to pay homage to God and to pray, possibly for others who are ill or for friends or relatives who do not believe in God.
Some Christians go on pilgrimages to "pay back" God for answering their prayers. This was more common in the Middle Ages when people would pray for God to grant them something, and promise to go on a pilgrimage if the wish was granted.
Some sites of pilgrimage, such as Lourdes in France, have a history for healing physical disorders. Some people visit these places in the hope that they will be healed, or that the experience will help them come to terms with their illness and accept it. In a similar way, Christians who feel far from God might go on pilgrimages for spiritual healing.
Finally, although pilgrimage is strictly different from a holiday, some Christians who are thinking of going on holiday instead visit a place of pilgrimage, for example the Holy Land. There they enjoy themselves but also meet with other Christians and worship God.
