What is pilgrimage?

People have always wanted to see and experience the places they read about in their holy books.

Canterbury Cathedral has been a major pilgrimage destination for many centuries and it was the murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in 1170 and his subsequent canonisation in 1173 that made Canterbury Cathedral the third most important site of Christian pilgrimage in the world, after Jerusalem and Rome. Pilgrims continued to visit the Cathedral in great numbers until the English Reformation and the destruction of the shrine of St Thomas in 1538.

In more recent times, pilgrimage has become increasingly popular and today Canterbury Cathedral welcomes thousands of people both setting out on and finishing their journey of pilgrimage.

Pilgrim

A person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.

Pilgrimage is an outward expression of faith and many pilgrims say it helps them to feel closer to God. Of course, many people also enjoy getting to experience new people and places.

The Journey

All religions see the journey to arrive at the holy place as very important. Making the decision to go on a pilgrimage, then preparing and making plans are all key parts of the pilgrimage journey. Pilgrims must work out how to afford the trip, how they will travel and what route they will take. Often pilgrims travel in groups and make stops at other religious sites on the way to their destination.

Rituals

When pilgrims arrive at the holy site there are rituals they are expected to follow. For example, Muslims on pilgrimage to Mecca must wash and put on special clothes called Ihram before they arrive. Hindus visiting the holy River Ganges often end their pilgrimage by bathing in the river as an act of purification – the washing away of sins. Christian pilgrims visiting Canterbury Cathedral might choose to light a candle at one of Cathedral altars.

Shrine

A place believed to be holy because of its association with a person or event.

Today, many pilgrims to Canterbury Cathedral are able to let us know about their journey. They are offered a blessing before setting out and a thanks at the end of their journey. In most cases pilgrims from all faiths will take part in a religious service at their pilgrimage destination.

Blessing

a request by a priest for God to take care of a particular person or a group of people.

Activities

Pilgrimage activity sheets

Click here to find a programme of curriculum linked classroom activities and resources to support the ‘Pilgrimage’ resource.

Download activity sheets

Where next?

• Medieval Pilgrims
• Chaucer
• Pilgrimage today