When pilgrimage is not an option
Pilgrimage is a calling — not a requirement. For those who cannot travel to the world’s holy places, there are beautiful alternatives that our medieval kin also relied upon. Here are some thoughts on connecting with sacred places from wherever you are. (3 min read)
There are huge spiritual and temporal benefits from pilgrimage but I recognise that it is not an option for everyone. There are great demands on the householder and creating the necessary time and funds for travel can be difficult.
The truth is that God is everywhere. Spirit is not limited by location.
Pilgrimage is a calling – it is not required for spiritual advancement and there is no guarantee that a person will benefit from it. Indeed, one would most likely progress more by devout prayer at home, than a half-hearted pilgrimage to the centre of Christendom. I have taken some awesome photographs of spirit close to my own home.
For those who cannot pilgrimage, there are other options. For example, the relics of St Therese of Lisieux have been travelling the world for years and her relics, or those of another saint, may well be visiting your home town soon.
In this digital world, there are tools to connect with the world’s holy sites. There are great resources online – information, images, live-feeds, discussion groups and testimonials – to support a “virtual pilgrimage”. Start with the information, then pray for the experience and blessings of pilgrimage.
If you strongly feel the calling to go on pilgrimage but you cannot do so, you are not alone. Our medieval kin also faced this issue.
Medieval pilgrims took the prayers of loved ones and others with them on pilgrimage to shrines. This beautiful practice remains available to us today. But there was a dark side – some medieval “pilgrims” sought to meet their costs or to profit by representing others. I’ve learned this lesson well. If someone wants money to take my photograph or prayers to a holy place, I give them a wide berth. As modern mystics it is incumbent on us to exercise deep discernment as we travel – by plane or armchair – to the world’s holy places.
By remaining open and praying for assistance, we can release the past and deeply transform ourselves. That has been my experience.
© Paul McCarthy & Iluminar.au
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