pilgrimage

Everyday

1. A journey to a holy place for religious reasons, such as Christians going to Jerusalem or Muslims going to Mecca. tree →
2. A trip to a place that is very special to you, such as a famous writer's house or a sports ground. tree →
3. (formal) A long life journey thought of as a search for something good. tree →

In the lessons

In religion lessons a pilgrimage shows faith in action: people walk or travel far to pray in a special place (Lourdes, Canterbury, Santiago, Mecca for the hajj). In stories it means a long meaningful trip. Phrases: «go on a pilgrimage», «make a pilgrimage to», «place of pilgrimage».

Examples

• Many Christians go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. tree →
• In The Canterbury Tales the travellers are on a pilgrimage. tree →
• The hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims try to make once in their lives. tree →
• Dad made a pilgrimage to the old football ground where he watched his first match. tree →
• Pilgrims on the pilgrimage walked for many days. tree →
• Lourdes in France is a famous place of pilgrimage. tree →
• Our class read about a pilgrimage across Spain. tree →
• I who have four times made the pilgrimage to Mecca, and have renounced wine for ever." tree →

Note

Countable noun. A person on a pilgrimage is a pilgrim. Spelling: pil-gri-mage, ends in -age. Do not confuse with «pilgrim» (the person) or with the Pilgrims who sailed to America.

In Jewish tradition

Life as a journey, or a stay in a foreign place. The psalmist feels like a traveler in the world.

Interpretation. The tradition reads this as the psalmist finding joy in God's laws wherever he wanders, as Jews did in exile.

Examples

• Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. (Writings PSA.119.54, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable noun. A person on a pilgrimage is a pilgrim. Spelling: pil-gri-mage, ends in -age. Do not confuse with «pilgrim» (the person) or with the Pilgrims who sailed to America.