Session IV Christian Pilgrimages 16 April 2009

Pilgrimage is an important aspect of Christianity dating back at least to the Middle Ages, and there are a number of important pilgrimages in the Christian tradition, especially the Roman Catholic tradition. This session examines some aspects of Christian pilgrimages along with some examples of various types of pilgrimages practiced by Roman Catholics at the present time.

Outline: Christian Pilgrimages, Session IV 16 April 2009

Divisions of Christianity

1. Very early groups still extant (Nestorians, Coptics)

2. Eastern Rite (Orthodox)

3. Western Rite (Roman Catholic)

4. Reformation era Protestant Churches (Lutheran, Calvinist, Anglican, Brethren)

4. Post-reformation Christian offshoots (mostly 19th-20th century creations) – Quakers, Seventh Day Adventists, Christian Scientists, Evangelicals (Falwell, Robertson, et al.), Mormons, Unification Church, etc.

Pilgrimage Eras

1. Early Christianity,to about 800 AD mostly to holy land, not a major activity.

2. 800-1500 The great age of pilgrimages

a. The Crusades as pilgrimage?

b. The Reconquista as pilgrimages

c. Anti-heretical pilgrimages

3. 1500-late 19th century, pilgrimage in decline

a. Indulgences.

a. Reformation and dissolution of pilgrimage sites in England and elsewhere

c. Countereformation--Jesuits

d. Internal pilgrimages (Bunyan)

4. Late 19th century to present, revival of pilgrimage.

a. Apparitions

b. Greater ease of travel

Roman Catholic Pilgrimage

The Great Age of Pilgrimage - c. 800 AD-1500 AD

1.The Western Church was united

2. Western Europe was Christianized

3. Devotions were standardized

a. Theology and Liturgy

b. Monasticism

4. Islam was a threat

a. Palestine

b. Iberia

Pilgrimage Cults - Not exclusive for many pilgrimages combine two or more of these devotions.

1. Cult of Saints

2. Cult of Mary

3. Cult of Relics

4. Replica Pilgrimages

Cult of Saints:

1. Martyrs

2. Founders of Church Institutions

a. Popes and princes of the church

b. Emperors, Kings and other secular leaders

c. Founders of monastic orders

3. Others

Marian Devotions

1. Events in the life of Mary

a. Annunciation

b. Childhood of Christ

c. Death of Christ

e. Assumption

2. Apparitions of Mary

Cult of Relics

1. Many Marian and Saint shrines also have relics!

2. Relics related to the Christian story (eg. the Holy Grail)

3. Relics related to early church history

Replica pilgrimages

1. Copies of important places in the Christian story (Walsingham)

2. Copies of relics found elsewhere

3. Stations of the Cross

Some traditional pilgrimage destinations

1. Local saints and the Romeria

2. National saints and shrines

3. The 3 Great pilgrimages

a. Palestine

b. Rome

c. Santiago de Compostela (to be discussed at length in Session VII)

Readings: There is a huge literature on Christian pilgrimage, and it is difficult to know where to start in making reocmmendations for readings. Two general books available at both the GMU and Fairfax County Libraries are:

Sumption, Jonathan. 2003. The Age of Pilgrimage: The Medieval Journey to God. Mahwah, NJ: Hiddenspring. ISBN 1-58768-025-4. Absolutely essential reading for anyone seriously interested in pilgrimage and especially the origins and evolution of Christian pilgrimage.

Ure, John. 2006. Pilgrimage: The Great Adventure of the Middle Ages. London. Constable. ISBN 1-84119-786-9. A most readable summary of medieval pilgrimage.