Pilgrimage report:

Describe the main features of a particular religious practice, ritual, celebration, or event.

Religious practices are a recognised way of doing something religious. According to the Unit
Four Module Two booklet, “A pilgrimage is a religious journey, often to a holy place,
undertaken for religious reasons. It often includes some form of physical crossing, but not
unavoidably, and it can be undertaken independently or in groups.” Pilgrimages as a religious
practice involves an inner, spiritual journey, from a religious opinion, religious pilgrimages
are spiritual journeys that integrate a religious emphasis and pursue to contribute towards a
development in religious faith and a religious way of living. An example of a religious
pilgrimage is the Camino de Santiago. The Camino de Santiago is a pilgrimage with multiple
routes, all ending at Santiago de Compostela. It is believed that Saint James was buried in
the cathedral of Santiago. The Camino de Santiago originated in the 9th century where King
Alfonso II walked the first pilgrimage from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela. Camino de
Santiago is a web of routes starting from different cities and concluding in the city of
Santiago. The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage is the oldest in Europe that has been
undertaken by millions of pilgrims over time. Camino de Santiago has ranges from a short
120 km walk to the extensive and demanding 800 km and the longest 1000 km route.

Explain how and why a religious practice, ritual, celebration, or event relates to people.

The contemporary practice of pilgrimage is undertaken by a wide range of people with

different motives. For some, the history, culture, and way of life practiced on a pilgrimage
can be fundamental to why they undergo a pilgrimage. Others may acknowledge and value
some of the spiritual advantages found in the experience; while for others it is another
tourist destination. Regardless of the motivations, from a religious opinion, a pilgrimage will
confront and include people in a certain way on the spiritual journey, that has the potential
to develop a person’s faith. A religious pilgrimage has many aspects which relates to people
and their involvement on the pilgrimage, significance and meaning are just two of the many.
One aspect of a religious pilgrimage is the significance of the place in which people travel to.
Pilgrimages follow routes to places and specific stations along the way of prayer and ritual.
The specific places where the pilgrimage journeys to are holy, hence, worthy of a visit. The
sacred nature of the location is usually due to a holy event occurring at the location. For
example, on the Camino Frances route, the final place visited is. Camino de Santiago
translates to ‘Way of St James’ which is why the cathedral of Santiago is so significant. The
second aspect of a religious pilgrimage is the meaning behind why someone might
undertake this journey. There is a deep desire within a pilgrim, it entails the belief in a
phenomenon and the exploration for a true, significant experience. Traditionally, motivation
was driven by the desire to meet the divine, to do penance or to advance spiritual
decencies. According to a study, 28% of respondents attempted the Camino to express or
think about their spirituality, 18% walked the Camino because of their religious beliefs and
17% of the pilgrims said it was the natural heritage of the route that attracted them.
Outline the role a religious practice, ritual, celebration, or event plays in the lives of
people.

A religious pilgrimage offers participants a profound spiritual experience, allowing them to

connect with their beliefs, faith, and divine presence. For pilgrims on the Camino de
Santiago, the journey to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is a sacred act of devotion
to Saint James, the patron saint of Spain. Walking the ancient route and visiting holy sites
along the way create an atmosphere of reverence, leading to a deeper spiritual connection
and a reaffirmation of faith. Pilgrimages often serve as transformative experiences for
individuals. The physical and mental challenges of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage push
pilgrims out of their comfort zones, fostering personal growth, and self-discovery. The
journey provides ample time for introspection and contemplation, helping pilgrims gain new
perspectives on life, overcome personal struggles, and find a sense of purpose. Religious
pilgrimages are deeply intertwined with cultural heritage and identity. The Camino de
Santiago pilgrimage has historical significance dating back to the Middle Ages, and it has
become a symbol of European cultural exchange. Pilgrims from all over the world walk the
same path, fostering a sense of unity and shared history.

References:

Brumec, S., Lavrič, M. and Naterer, A. (2023) Examining motivations to walk the
Camino de Santiago: A typology of pilgrims - pastoral psychology, SpringerLink.
Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11089-023-01071-
1#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20study%2C%2028,route%20that%20had
%20attracted%20them. (Accessed: 03 August 2023).

Characteristics of pilgrimage (no date) Liminal Entwinings RSS. Available at:

http://liminalentwinings.com/characteristics-of-pilgrimage-2/ (Accessed: 03 August
2023).

AlyaThe pretty half of Stingy Nomads (2023) The Camino de Santiago - Your 2023 guide,
STINGY NOMADS. Available at: https://stingynomads.com/camino-de-santiago-
walking-guide/ (Accessed: 03 August 2023).

JWT Travel (2022) Why walk the Camino de Santiago?, JWT Travel. Available at:
https://jwttravel.ie/walk-the-camino-de-santiago/#:~:text=Many%20people%20walk
%20the%20Camino,change%20their%20perception%20of%20life. (Accessed: 03
August 2023).
Caitlin (2023) Why do people walk the Camino de Santiago?, Follow the Camino. Available
at: https://followthecamino.com/en/blog/why-do-people-walk-the-camino-de-santiago/
(Accessed: 03 August 2023).