Pilgrim Journeys, Pilgrimage examples and Rituals PowerPoint

Pilgrimage and example

1. Pilgrim Journeys and Rituals Religious & Non-Religious

2. Pilgrim Journeys and Rituals In this chapter you will learn about: places of pilgrimage and rituals associated with them. You will be able to: name places of pilgrimage associated with the major world religions appreciate a variety of reasons why people go on a pilgrimage examine the rituals associated with the Hajj research the rituals associated with one pilgrimage.

3. Places of religious significance What is a pilgrimage? A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place. Places can have a religious significance and become a place of pilgrimage or a sacred place for a number of reasons, including: They are connected with the founder of a religion. They are connected with the life of a saint or holy person associated with a religion. They are places where an apparition , vision or miracle has taken place.

4. Where are these pilgrimages?

5. Places of pilgrimage of the five major world religions

6. Why do people go on pilgrimage?

7. Why do people go on a pilgrimage? People may go on a pilgrimage to: praise and worship the Divine pray for themselves and their loved ones follow in the footsteps of founders, significant people or leaders of their faith learn more about their faith take time out to reflect on their life or discover meaning in life repent for their sins and have a fresh start in life enjoy the physical challenge and spiritual experience of spending time in nature on, for example, a long walk or a mountain climb.

8. Why do people go on a pilgrimage? Travel offers us new experiences and insights into who we are, the world around us and our place in that world. A person does not need to be on a pilgrimage to visit a place of religious significance. We might visit religious sites while on holidays because of their historical or architectural significance. We can also appreciate the religious significance of these places, even if it is not part of our own worldview.

9. Pilgrimage in Christianity In the Middle Ages , Christianity was the main religion in Europe and pilgrimages were an important aspect of life during this time. A pilgrimage was a way to do penance . Penance is something Christians do to seek God’s forgiveness for the sins of this life and to prepare for the next life. The most important pilgrimage sites were those associated with the life of Jesus in the Holy Land . Other important places of Christian pilgrimage were the tomb of St Peter in Rome and the tomb of St James the Apostle in Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

10. Ireland’s pilgrim paths – Croagh Patrick Croagh Patrick is one of a number of places in Ireland that St Patrick is said to have visited. It soars to a height of 764 metres. Over 20,000 pilgrims climb the mountain on the last Sunday in July, known as Reek Sunday, in a tradition that is said to go back more than 1,500 years. On Reek Sunday, Mass is said at the top of the mountain.

11. Croagh Patrick

12. Case Study Open up page 41 and read about Croagh Patrick. Then answer the questions 1-5 on page 42.

13. Ireland’s pilgrim paths – Lough Derg Lough Derg is another place of pilgrimage associated with St Patrick. It is a remote island in County Donegal and the perfect place to find some peace and quiet. The traditional three-day pilgrimage on Lough Derg is challenging as it requires pilgrims to fast and stay awake for a night vigil .

14. Research! Imagine you are responsible for advertising Ireland as a place of Christian pilgrimage. Create a poster to share key information with people about one or more Irish pilgrimage sites. Your Poster Should Include: A creative title and images (drawn or digital) Key facts about the pilgrimage site(s) Why Christians visit there What pilgrims do when they visit (e.g., prayer, reflection, walking a path, lighting candles, etc.) A short section explaining why pilgrimage is important in the Christian faith Examples of Irish Pilgrimage Sites: Croagh Patrick (Co. Mayo) Lough Derg (Co. Donegal) Knock Shrine (Co. Mayo) Glendalough (Co. Wicklow) St. Brigid’s Well (Co. Kildare)

15. The pilgrimage to Mecca Mecca | National Geographic - YouTube While you are watching this video Identify three facts about the Hajj & what it has significance for Muslim people

16. Pilgrimage in Islam The Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims have to complete once in their lifetime (if they are able to). During the Hajj, around two million pilgrims arrive in Mecca to take part in special rituals that link to the history of Islam. The Kaaba is in the centre of Mecca and is the focal point of the Hajj. An enormous open-air mosque surrounds it. The rituals that happen during the Hajj link to the life of Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael.

17. Arrival in Mecca The first ritual of the Hajj takes place at the entrance to Mecca and involves pilgrims changing their clothes. Men put on two strips of plain white cloth and women wear more modest forms of their usual dress. Muslim women wear a hijab , but do not cover their faces with a veil. These clothes take away the differences that separate people – race, wealth, age – and remind pilgrims that they are all equal before God. Only Muslims are allowed into the city of Mecca. If you are not Muslim, you may not enter or travel through Mecca.

18. The Hajj rituals in the mosque in Mecca 2. Circling the Kaaba Muslims believe that Abraham visited Mecca and helped his son Ishmael to build the Kaaba as a place to worship God. Pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times in a counterclockwise direction as a reminder to place God at the centre of your life.

19. The Hajj rituals in the mosque in Mecca 3. Walking between the hills of Safa and Marwa Pilgrims then cross the mosque to a long indoor corridor that was built between the two hills of Safa and Marwa . Pilgrims walk back and forth between the hills seven times, imitating the steps of Hagar, Ishmael’s mother, who rushed between the hills in search of water for her son. The appearance of a well in this desert landscape is a miracle that Muslims believe saved Hagar and Ishmael.

20. The Hajj rituals in the mosque in Mecca 4. Drinking from the Zamzam Well The Zamzam Well , which is believed to have saved Hagar and Ishmael, lies within the mosque. Each pilgrim sips from its water as a reminder of the foundations of a religious tradition that emphasises the worship of one God.

21. The Hajj rituals in the desert The pilgrims then leave Mecca and move into the surrounding desert and stay in tents. 5. The Day of Standing Together at the Plain of Arafat This ritual, known as the Day of Standing Together, is the high point of the Hajj and takes place on the Plain of Arafat. The Plain of Arafat is the location where, Muslims believe, Adam and Eve were reunited after leaving Eden.

22. The Hajj rituals in the desert 6. The stoning of the pillars This ritual involves throwing small pebbles at a series of three pillars that represent Satan . This symbolises resisting temptation. Cutting hair Many pilgrims cut or shave their hair to mark their new beginning and the end of the Hajj.

23. The end of the Hajj 7. Eid al-Adha celebrates the end of the Hajj. Muslims around the world celebrate this festival. Before leaving the city for home, pilgrims circle the Kaaba again seven times. The formal Hajj is over and it is up to each pilgrim to carry its spirit back home.

24. Question Time Where does the Hajj take place? What clothes do Muslims change into and why? How many times do Muslims circle the Kaaba? What is the celebration called upon completing the Hajj?

25. Ritual What is a ritual? A ritual is a set of actions, words, or gestures performed in a specific order for religious, cultural, or personal reasons e.g. mass, birthday. Q. Can you think of anything else that might be an example of a ritual?

26. The Mass and the Rituals surrounding it Open up page 47 and read about The Mass. The order of the Mass: Introduction Liturgy of the Word Liturgy of the Eucharist Conclusion Complete the questions on page 51.

27. Religious Ritual: Order of the Mass Introduction Entrance and Priest’s Greeting Gloria Opening Prayer Liturgy of the Word First and Second Reading Gospel and Homily Prayers of the faithful 3. Liturgy of the Eucharist Offertary (Bread and Wine to alter) The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father) Sign of Peace) Communion 4. Conclusion Final blessing End of the mass

28. Non-Religious Ritual: Birthday Set actions: Most people follow familiar steps—singing, blowing out candles, eating cake, giving presents. Symbolism: The birthday cake and candles symbolise celebration and the passing of time. Blowing out candles and making a wish adds a sense of tradition. Repetition: Birthdays happen every year on the same date. Meaning: A birthday marks another year of life and is a time to feel appreciated and celebrated by friends and family. Even though it’s not religious, a birthday is ritualistic because it follows a pattern, holds meaning, and is shared with others in a symbolic and repeated way.