A Pilgrimage

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A Pilgrimage

A pilgrimage is a journey undertaken for a religious reason. Since the

time of Jesus Christians have visited the places associated with his

birth, life and death. In addition to these sites in Israel there are

many other centres of Christian pilgrimage Lourdes in France,

Walsingham, and Canterbury in England, Holywell and Saint Davids in

Wales, Rome, to name but a few.

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The Roman Catholic Church has always taught that pilgrimage is a

useful way to strengthen one's Christian faith. The Protestant

Churches generally rejected the idea of pilgrimage because they

believe that if it gives people the wrong idea about God. Pilgrimage

was always popular in the Middle Ages, and is increasingly in

popularity again, perhaps because Christians are searching for a

Christian identifying in the hurly-burly of the twentieth century

life.

WHY I WENT ON A PILGRIMAGE

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I have three reasons why I went on a pilgrimage. They are:

· To visit the sites of Jesus' birth, life and death in order to

experience the atmosphere and gain a deeper understanding of his

teaching.

· To walk in his footsteps of a saint who was very special to us

(Christians), especially if a miracle is connected to the site of the

pilgrimage.

· To thank God for a blessing he has given them.

· To be with fellow Christians from all round the globe. Christianity

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THE HOLY LAND AND WHAT I DID

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I began my pilgrimage in the place of Jesus' birthplace, BETHLEHEM.

The story of Bethlehem

Bethlehem is a small town, which lies about five miles south ...

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...ich juts into the Sea of Galilee. Here, it is

thought, the risen Jesus appeared to the disciples, and especially to

Peter. As I stood outside this place, with the sound of the water

lapping at the edge of the lake, one pilgrim read aloud the words from

the Gospel According to St. John, chapter 21 verses 4-17, which tell

of the risen Jesus appearing and talking to Peter. Again easier to

visualise the scene beside the peaceful lake, and it was certainly

easier to pray here.

Now that I am home and look back on my pilgrimage, I find that I am

not just left with memories: the experiences of visiting and praying

at these holy places have strengthened my faith and made me more

determined to be better Christians. Certainly the pilgrimage for me

was 'a journey of a lifetime', a truly spiritual experience.

THE END.

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