What are Pilgrimages

A pilgrimage is an invitation from God to take a walk or to travel a route toward a sacred place to which the pilgrim is ushered into the presence of God.

The pilgrimage is a happy, glorious time with the presence of God all around you as you walk, take food and water. The route is toward God and the walk is a physical trial of your travel toward God. Your future pilgrimages will also be a combination of past and present travels.

The pilgrim must undertake this journey with a heart full of joy and willingness to separate from the world’s troubles and tribulations. The pilgrim must offer himself unfettered unto the word of God. A successful pilgrimage is measured by the commitment to leave the pilgrim’s problems behind and seek the answers to life’s problems from God. A pilgrimage is a time of prayer and worship to renounce the problems of the world and to travel toward the sanctity of God and His safety.

The success of a pilgrimage is measured by his openness, faith, flexibility and love. The Muslim law dictates that the Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca, the birthplace of Muhammad. For Hindus, the pilgrimage to Varansi to bathe in the River Ganges is an obligation. Christians traveled to venerated places in the Holy Land, sanctified by the presence of Jesus, Mary or the Apostles.

In today’s modern society, the pilgrimage holds the same veneration of love, faith and hope and the route to travel towards God. You can book a trip or travel to the spots of God’s sanctity. Many people travel in large groups from one city by flights to the European and Asian spots and then they travel together to the site of God’s presence.

For Christians, the sites are mentioned in both the New and Old Testaments of the Holy Bible. Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem which were the main focus of Jesus life are the most important destinations in the Holy Land. Any area of the Middle East is the most enticing for the pilgrimages for the citizens of these countries. People from North America make these trips to the Holy Land as their vacation plans and spend their time visiting relatives in these sites.

There are a variety of websites and agencies which set up religious and spiritual pilgrimages to the site of your choice, whether or not it is Santiago, Spain or Israel to the Wailing Wall. It is a mystical time when persons of various backgrounds and lifestyles, countries of origin and economic strata can come together on the same trail or road in their journey to God. To witness the Pilgrimage to Rome and the home of the Pope brings about a feeling of holiness and healing for those who can attend.

About the Author:
Sarah James is a content writer for web sites, she is current producing content for eSpatial a GIS software company servicing the European and American markets.