Let’s go on pilgrimage

By Felix Edinborough

Pilgrimages are an essential part of our lives so it is important that we be aware of how best to have this experience. It is described as a journey from sin to grace so that we look forward to our destination where spiritually, we are much better than when we started.

When we look at scripture, we will see that there are many journeys and pilgrimages which have brought us to this part of our expedition and we need to continue on our road to salvation and hence, paradise. There are many such accounts in the Bible and we will see that, in each case, the pilgrim is looking forward to a better destination or as it were, a journey from sin to grace.

Some of the most notable are Abraham’s journey to the promised land of Canaan. Moses and the Israelites make a pilgrimage from slavery to freedom and eventually, the Israelites reach the promised land.

Jesus is born when His parents are on pilgrimage. Mary and Joseph were on their way to Joseph’s birthplace to be registered and they received their pilgrimage reward in Bethlehem when Jesus was born.

Jesus started His ministry on Earth with a pilgrimage to the desert, sent there by the Holy Spirit, and renounced Satan so that He could be ready for His further pilgrimages in what we now call the Holy Land.

His final pilgrimage is what we call the Via Dolorosa or Way of the Cross which starts with His condemnation by Pilate and ends with His reward of Resurrection and ascension into Heaven.

A pilgrimage gives us the opportunity to change our scenery and mode of life which can be boring (‘same old, same old’). We take the time to concentrate on the spiritual aspect of our life and have time for reflection.

Remember, Jesus always took time to move away from the crowd and go to a quiet place where He could be alone and pray. Perhaps it has been a long time since we have reflected on our life’s journey, but now we can find space and time to do this most important activity.

On pilgrimage, we get to meet our brothers and sisters who sometimes are present to us in the parish and whom we have never met nor spoken to. This facilitates bonding, especially when we pray together.

At the end of the pilgrimages which I have made, I widened my family of friends and sometimes we organise a chat group, not just for greetings but to exchange thoughts and reflections. I find that spiritually refreshing.

This spiritual journey can help you to change your life. I found that on several of my pilgrimages, participants have told me that they have been changed. After, for example, a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, they have told me that when they go to Mass, or when they read the New Testament, they feel more at home for they can identify the places mentioned and they see themselves in the location. This helps them in their reflection.

Our life is a pilgrimage from sin to grace. We were born with original sin and have to move to grace, our heavenly destination. We accomplish this by living a life practising spiritual exercise, one of which is a pilgrimage, and in this Jubilee Year, we can enhance our spiritual life and receive a plenary indulgence. To have all our sins washed away and be in a state of grace is one of the greatest achievements in our lives. To die in the state of grace is our passport to Heaven.

Here at home, we have several Jubilee pilgrimage sites. To improve our spiritual life, we should go to at least one of the sites where we can pray and follow this by Mass, Confession and a prayer for the Pope’s intentions, or do a spiritual or corporal work of mercy to obtain our plenary indulgence.

It would benefit you more if you were able to attend all the sites. You need not do them all in one day but you can schedule your visits. Many parishes are organising pilgrimages to the sacred sites, so join one of them. As far as I’ve heard, they are very popular so make sure to be on one of them.

We look forward to a spiritually fulfilling Jubilee Year when we can obtain remission of all our sins and be prepared for our final reward with our heavenly Father.

To our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise forever.