Are there any places in the world that you would love to visit? Take a moment to think about why. Perhaps you chose somewhere that is associated with someone special – for example, the town or country your grandparents were born, or where a hero of yours lives. Perhaps you chose a place you have heard a lot about and would love to see for yourself.

What word would you use to describe a special journey ?

According to the dictionary a pilgrimage is a journey, especially a long one, made to some sacred place as an act of religious devotion. But where and why would you go on a pilgrimage?

Learning Objective: By the end of the lesson/s you will have gained an understanding of the concept of pilgrimage, also where and why people go on a pilgrimage You will also be able to explain what people gain from going on pilgrimage

People have been going on pilgrimages for a long time!

Places of Pilgrimage Where are they ? Why do people go?

Watch the following films and explain…. Why do people go on pilgrimage ? Where do people go on pilgrimage? Why was it important for the people in the films to go in pilgrimage ? What takes place on pilgrimage ? What do people gain from going on a pilgrimage ? Introduction to Pilgrimage « RE:quest Pilgrimage « RE:quest Pilgrims’ Diary: The Two Saints Way « RE:quest

So where do Christians go on pilgrimages ? Holy Lands (Israel / Palestine) Many visit the places where Jesus lived, especially during the Christian festivals (for example, Bethlehem, where he was born, at Christmas; Jerusalem, the place where he died, at Easter). St. Peter's Basilica, Rome St. Peter, disciple of Jesus and first Bishop of Rome, was martyred and believed to be buried here. It is the centre of the Roman Catholic church, and home of the Pope. Lourdes, France In 1858, a young girl called Bernadette Soubivous had a vision of Jesus' mother, Mary. The spring waters that flow from the fountains are believed to bring miraculous healing from God.

Lourdes and Iona…. Two places Christians go watch the short films… Lourdes and Iona….Two places Christians go watch the short films….. Compare and contrast the two What are the similarities and differences? Lourdes - A Pilgrimage Introduction - YouTube lourdes pilgamidge - Bing video Iona: A Celtic Pilgrimage - YouTube iona pilgrimage - Bing video

Task…… Research the places of pilgrimage that you have looked at. Bring in accounts from People who have been on pilgrimage to those places. What pilgrimage is Where people go Why they go What they gain What ‘miracles’ have taken place ? How might you /a Christian explain these ? As well as your personal opinions on pilgrimage

Question…… Explain the common and divergent attitudes towards the role and importance of pilgrimage by different Christian denominations ‘All Christians should make a pilgrimage to a holy place’ Analyse and evaluate this statement, give arguments to agree and disagree. Include religious arguments.