The first Christian pilgrimages began around the fourth century, when Christianity was accepted and promoted as the true religion after Constantine decriminalized it. The primary destination was the land Jesus sanctified by his ministry, passion, death and resurrection. This journey was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most who endured great hardships, and many pilgrims lost their lives along the way. Great was their desire to see where Jesus suffered, was buried, and rose from the dead.
Through the centuries, because of wars and plagues, other destinations of religious significance became popular such as Rome and Compostela. A pilgrimage was almost always undertaken with great sacrifice to gain spiritual favor or to deepen one’s faith.
Pilgrimages and the Jubilee Year 2025
When preparing the Church for the year 2000, Pope St. John Paul II encouraged the faithful to make deeply spiritual pilgrimages especially to major Holy Land sites in addition to the major Basilicas in Rome, as a means to gain a plenary indulgence; which is the remittal of all temporal punishment due to sins that have been confessed and forgiven. In addition to a pilgrimage, other necessary conditions were to have gone to confession within twenty days, to have a complete detachment from sin, attend Mass and receive Holy Communion, and to pray an Our Father and Hail Mary for the intentions of the Holy Father.
As you have probably heard, the pilgrimage tradition is also encouraged for the Jubilee Year 2025. You can gain one plenary indulgence per day either for yourself or for someone in Purgatory. The Pope said for those who could not make the journey to distant places, they could make a pilgrimage to a local cathedral or basilica.
The True Purpose of a Pilgrimage
Why a pilgrimage? The purpose of a pilgrimage and every spiritual thing we do is to humble ourselves and make sacrifices so that we may be intimately united with Our Lord. This depends totally on our intention and disposition. Certainly, God can surprise us with his presence whenever he wishes, but we know a humble, contrite heart facilitates an encounter with him.
When my wife Mary Jane and I were in Rome a few years ago, we went to the Post Office and by chance met a priest who was from the Office of Pilgrimages in the Vatican. He told us there was a great concern that authentic pilgrimages were being replaced by religious tours where travelers were more interested in ‘seeing the sites’ and taking pictures than taking time to pray and meditate in the sacred places they visit so they can encounter Our Lord and receive the graces available.
Pilgrimage Opportunities in San Antonio
San Antonio is a beautiful destination for those who want an authentic pilgrimage experience. We have our own Camino which includes the Missions, we have our Cathedral, the Basilica of the Little Flower, and so many beautiful churches and religious properties. However, to be an authentic pilgrim is first of all an interior journey where we spend time with Jesus and ask him to accompany us on the way.
Originally written by Pilgrim Center of Hope for Today's Catholic newspaper.
Deacon Tom Fox, K.C.H.S., and Mary Jane Fox, D.C.H.S. are the Co-Founders & Co-Directors of Pilgrim Center of Hope. The two left their careers after a profound conversion experience and began working full-time in ministry at their parish in 1986. After several years and having impacted tens of thousands of families, the Foxes founded Pilgrim Center of Hope in 1993 as a response to the Church’s call for a New Evangelization. Deacon Tom is an invested member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a Commander Knight of the Holy Sepulchre.
Pilgrim Center of Hope provides events, experiences, and media; initiating a desire in people to encounter Jesus Christ in their daily journey of life. See what’s happening & let us journey with you! Visit PilgrimCenterOfHope.org.
