A still modern way to god and to itself
Biblical history is full of images of the pilgrim's journeys. The patriarch Abraham followed god's voice and pilgrimed to an unknown land that God had promised him. The most famous biblical journey is the journey of the nation of Israel from the Egyptian captivity under the leadership of Moses. Later, part of the biblical nation was taken to the Assyrian and Babylonian captivity, from where it returned after decades to restore the ruined homeland. The Gospels speak of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and later of their escape to Egypt. Every year adult Jews pilgrimed to the Jerusalem temple and the evangelist Luke left us a mention of this journey of Joseph, Mary and even the 12-year-old Jesus. The apostle Paul then made several missionary journeys to preach the gospel.
Even because of this strong tradition, the pilgrimaging has persisted as a very widespread way of expressing religion to the present day. It is very popular to travel to places that are connected with the life and death of Jesus Christ like Bethlehem, Jerusalem or Nazareth. The journey to the tombs of the apostolic princes Peter and Paul in Rome, especially St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican or Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls on Ostia's road.
Compostela in Spain has been one of the most important pilgrimage sites since the Middle Ages, where, according to tradition, the Apostle James the Elder is buried. The Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago) has become popular even among non-Catholic or unbelievers, as a path of self-knowledge and inner silence. Every day at noon in the local cathedral of St. James holds St. Mass for pilgrims who completed their journey on this day. Upon presentation of a pilgrimage card called “credential”, as evidenced by stamps in licensed hostels, the pilgrim can receive an official confirmation of the completion of the Way of St. James.
Pilgrimages to the apparitions of the Virgin Mary are also popular in recent centuries - such as French Lourdes, Portuguese Fatima or Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Other well-known places of pilgrimage are associated with the worship of significant saints: Italian Assisi, or San Giovanni Rotondo, French Ars or Lisieux, or Spanish Loyola. Many young people of all faiths are also targeted by the town of Taizé in France, which is home to an ecumenical community. Every few years, young Catholics from all over the world travel to World Youth Day. They last took place in Panama, before that in Krakow, Poland, and will take place next year in Lisbon, Portugal.
Almost every nation has its own national pilgrimage sites. In Slovakia, it is traditionally the most numerous pilgrimages to Levoča, while Poles pilgrim to Częstochowa. For many pilgrims the journey is the destination. On their pilgrimage, they want to forget about everyday life and want to better understand and deepen their faith.
If you also go on a pilgrimage in the foreseeable future, we wish you a lot of determination and strength.
