ALRI Session V: Some Social and Economic Consequences of Pilgrimage

Basilica of Santa Maria and shopping street, pilgrimage center at

Lujan, Buenos Aires, Argentina 2008 EOP

In Sessions III and IV we examined some examples of non-Christian and Christian pilgrimages respectively. Session V will begin with a few concluding comments about Christian pilgrimages, in particular aspects of the decline of pilgrimages from circa 1500 to the 19th century and the apparent revival of pilgrimages in the 20th and 21st centuries. Most of session V will be devoted to an examination of some of the social and economic consequences of pilgrimages. The economic consequences are easy to outline as the needs of pilgrims for transportation, food, and housing are met in various ways. The social consequences are more difficult to limn, but we know that pilgrimage leads to social contacts not possible in normal daily routines, and those contacts have significant consequences for the development of society and politics.

I. Christian pilgrimage after about 1500 (see outline for session IV).

II. The infrastructure of pilgrimage and economic activity.

A. Transportation.

1. Walking paths.

2. Long distance movement.

a. Maritime transportation.

b. Railroads, roads, airlines.

3. Movement in the pilgrimage area.

B. Food and Lodging.

1. Monasteries, convents and other religious foundations.

2. Commercial accommodation.

C. Health and safety.

1. Political centralization.

2. Internationalization of routes.

III. "Monastic" orders in pilgrimage (most examples will be Christian).

A. Orders founded to protect pilgrims (eg. Knights Templar).

B. Orders promoting pilgrimage.

1. Maintain the shrines.

2. Facilitate movement of pilgrims.

IV. The economics of pilgrimage.

A. Commerce and pilgrimage.

B. Pilgrimage and economic development.

C. Pilgrimage and tourism.

V. Politics and pilgrimage.

A. Pilgrimage and national identity.

B. Pilgrimage and cultural "imperialism."

C. Pilgrimage and deviant ideas.

VI. Pilgrimage and cultural change

"Europe was forged on the road to Compostela!"

Please note that no outline will be posted for Session VI: The Arts and Pilgrimage. That session will be devoted to looking at and listening to (and, I hope, enjoying) some of the great works of architecture, sculpture, painting, and music linked to pilgrimage along with a very brief review of a few of the great works of literature with ties to pilgrimage.