Being a PilgrimPilgrim 1. In the New Testament and Christian thought, someone engaged in the Christian journey through life towards heaven. 2. Someone who journeys to holy places (such as biblical sites or shrines of the saints) to seek God's help, to give thanks, or as an act of penance

What kind of Pilgrim am I?

Path along Grains Gill Seathwaite Fell, Cumbria

What kind of pilgrim am I?

The ChristianChristian Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church to designate all members of the church. faithFaith 1. Belief and trust in someone or something. 2. Acceptance of particular religious teachings. offers many ways to be a pilgrim. 

In the Old TestamentOld Testament (The Hebrew Bible). The sacred writings of Judaism which also form the first part of the Christian Bible. i. Books of the Law: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. ii. Historical books: Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. iii. Books of Teaching: Psalms; Wisdom literature: Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon (Song of Songs, Canticles). iv. The Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah (with Lamentations), Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. See also Old Testament Apocrypha (the Hebrew BibleHebrew Bible The sacred writings of Judaism which also form the Christian Old Testament.), we see people journeying with God and experiencing his guidance and help every day; we also see them travelling as pilgrims to JerusalemJerusalem City captured and made into the capital city of Israel by King David. Site of the Temple built by Solomon, and of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. A holy city for Jews, Christians and Muslims to meet with him in a special way and be transformed.

The New TestamentNew Testament Writings produced by the Christian community c.50-100 and subsequently affirmed as authoritative by the church. See Canon of scripture. i. The Four Gospels.: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John; ii. Acts (the Early Church); iii. Epistles (Letters to churches and individuals): Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2 & 3 John, Jude; iv. Revelation (Apocalypse). Description of the Heavenly Jerusalem. See also New Testament Apocrypha encourages all Christians to see themselves as ‘pilgrims and strangers in the world’ (1 Peter 2:11), serving those around them and living by God’s values. They can be risk-takers in their daily pilgrim journey through life because eventually they will reach their true home. There they will meet God face to face and ‘there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain’ (RevelationRevelation 1. The idea that God reveals himself to humankind in various ways, including through Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Creation.2. The Book of Revelation, also called Apocalypse. The final book of the Bible which records the Apocalyptic visions of St John on the island of Patmos. 21:4).

During the early centuries of the Church, some people began to withdraw from everyday life to focus on being close to God and praying for the needs of the world. They too saw themselves as ‘pilgrims,’ who stayed still physically to focus on their inner journey. Thus, monks and nuns added the idea of inner pilgrimage: growing through prayer and meditation. 

All these ways of being a pilgrim took root in the North of England during the Anglo-Saxon period, shaping the stories of individuals and the development of society. The Northern Saints show us many models of being a pilgrim: 

• through daily service to those around us
• getting to know God through prayer
• visiting special places to learn, grow in faith, and find forgiveness, hope, comfort and healing. 

So, we have many choices. At the heart of being a pilgrim is our journey through life, in which we can experience God’s guidance and care each day. This is strengthened by developing our inner relationship with him. Many people also find it helpful to take time out to visit special sites where others have prayed and worshipped before us.

Short pilgrimage around St PatrickPatrick, St The son of a town official on the west coast of Britain in the last days of Roman rule, St Patrick was abducted as boy and taken to Ireland, where he lived as a slave for six years. He spent this time in prayer and on his return received some training for the priesthood. He returned to Ireland in 435 as bishop and was one of the most prominent figures in the conversion of that country beyond the Roman Empire to Christianity until his death in about 461. Some of St Patrick's writings survive, including an autobiography. He is generally regarded as the Apostle of Ireland and legends attribute many miraculous powers to him’s Isle, Isle of Man. Copyright Alison Cowin

Pilgrimage to special places 

A pilgrimage can be anything from an organised trip with a group, to a spontaneous, individual experience in response to a special place. Many people today love visiting churches, cathedrals and other special places such as LindisfarneLindisfarne Also known as Holy Island, a peninsula off the coast of north-east England (Northumbria), this area is cut off from the mainland by the tide twice a day. A monastic community was founded here by St Aidan, in emulation of Iona. From Lindisfarne, missionary activity was conducted in the kingdom of Northumbria. The Anglo-Saxon community produced saints, the most prominent being St Cuthbert in whose honour the magnificent Lindisfarne Gospels were written. and Iona. These beautiful historic sites can give us a sense of belonging and perspective. But they offer more than this. Going as a ‘pilgrim’ to such places doesn’t mean you have to be wearing hiking boots or a rucksack (though walking or cycling is a great way to travel if you can). Instead, it means that like millions of people before you, you can find peace, hope, comfort, and understanding to take back into your everyday pilgrim journey.

Being a pilgrim in a special place offers space to pause and explore our own experience and thoughts. It helps to take time out of the ‘ordinary’ to think about our journey through life. Helpful questions include, ‘Where have I come from?’, ‘Where am I now?’, ‘Where am I going?’, ‘What might I need to help me cope – and grow?’ 

St Wilfrid’s CryptCrypt From the Greek kryptós meaning 'hidden' it formed the lower part of the church, where it was often used for burials. at RiponRipon A cathedral city and market town in North Yorkshire. In the mid-7th century, St Wilfrid (who later became Bishop of York) founded a religious community at Ripon with land granted from the king of Northumbria. Due to Viking incursions, the body of St Cuthbert temporarily resided at Ripon in the 10th century. CathedralCathedral (Latin cathedra' throne') Church which contains the throne of the bishop and hence the mother church of the diocese. Copyright Ripon Cathedral

‘You have time to think, to pray. Sometimes answers break through like a shaft of sunlight. Pilgrimage is a chance to step back from life and see what is important.’

A 21st Century Pilgrim

Some pilgrimage sites have been changed or lost over the years. However, we still have thousands of places to visit – from tiny parishParish Area with its own church, served by a priest who has the spiritual care of all those living within it. The system evolved gradually, reaching completion by the 13th century churches to great cathedrals and beautiful landscapes.