Why do Catholics go on pilgrimage?

6 min

Awaiting theological review

The simple answer

A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place made in order to pray: Jerusalem, Rome, Santiago de Compostela, Fátima, Lourdes or a small local shrine. Pilgrims often walk, sometimes for days. The road is part of the prayer: tiredness, silence, the people met on the way and the arrival all become a way of bringing your life to God. A pilgrimage is also a picture of the whole Christian life, which Scripture describes as a journey towards our true home.

In the Bible

Scripture

Abraham leaves his land and his father's house to go where God will show him. His journey of faith is the model of every pilgrimage.

Genesis 12:1–4

Scripture

Three times a year the people of Israel went up to the place the Lord chose, for the great feasts.

Deuteronomy 16:16

Scripture

The Psalms of ascent were sung on the way to Jerusalem; one begins with the joy of going to the house of the Lord.

Psalms 121:1–2

Scripture

At twelve, Jesus goes up to Jerusalem with Mary and Joseph for the Passover, as they did every year.

Luke 2:41–42

Scripture

On the road to Emmaus, the risen Jesus walks with two disciples without being recognised, and they know him in the breaking of the bread.

Luke 24:13–35

Scripture

The Letter to the Hebrews calls believers strangers and pilgrims on the earth, who have here no lasting city.

Hebrews 11:13 · Hebrews 13:14

Where it comes from

Historical context

In the 4th century, Helena, the mother of the emperor Constantine, travelled to the Holy Land, and churches were built at the places of Jesus' birth, death and resurrection.

Early Christian source

Around 381 to 384, a woman named Egeria wrote a travel diary of her pilgrimage to the Holy Land, describing the liturgy she saw in Jerusalem.

Itinerarium Egeriae (late 4th century; locator awaiting verification)(awaiting verification)

Tradition

From the 9th century, pilgrims walked to Santiago de Compostela, where tradition places the tomb of the apostle James. Historians debate how that tradition began.

Historical context

In 1300 Pope Boniface VIII proclaimed the first Holy Year, and pilgrims came to Rome from all over Europe. Holy Years are still celebrated, usually every 25 years.

Private revelation

Fátima became a place of pilgrimage after the apparitions of 1917. The bishop of Leiria declared them worthy of belief in 1930. Like every private revelation, Catholics are not obliged to believe them; they add nothing to the Gospel.

Bishop of Leiria, pastoral letter of 13 October 1930 (awaiting verification)(awaiting verification)

What the Church teaches

Church teaching

The Church calls herself a pilgrim people: on the way, in this world, towards the fullness of the Kingdom.

Lumen Gentium, 48(awaiting verification)

Church teaching

Pilgrimages recall our earthly journey towards heaven and are traditionally strong times of renewal in prayer.

Catechism 2691 (number awaiting verification)(awaiting verification)

Catechism

Pilgrimages are among the forms of popular piety that the Church values when they lead people to Christ and to the sacraments.

CCC 1674

Church teaching

A shrine is a church or sacred place to which the faithful go on pilgrimage, with the approval of the local bishop.

Code of Canon Law, can. 1230(awaiting verification)

A common misunderstanding

God hears you better at a shrine, and walking far enough earns you a miracle.

In fact

God hears you everywhere. A pilgrimage does not buy anything; it helps you leave your routine, pray with your body and come back changed. Many shrines are also places where people go to confession.

Why it matters today

You do not need to walk hundreds of kilometres. A pilgrimage can be a day: a walk to a nearby chapel, prayed in silence, ending with Mass or confession. If you walk on roads, as many pilgrims to Fátima do, go in groups, wear something reflective and look after your body.

Bible passages

Genesis 12:1–4 · Deuteronomy 16:16 · Psalms 121:1–2 · Luke 2:41–42 · Luke 24:13–35 · Hebrews 11:13 · Hebrews 13:14

Catechism

CCC 1674 ↗