Christianity & Pilgrimage

Pilgrimages were first made to sites connected with the life, birth and crucifixion of Jesus. Surviving descriptions of Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land date from the 4th century, when pilgrimage was encouraged by church fathers like Saint Jerome. Pilgrimages also began to be made to Rome and other sites associated with the Apostles, Saints and Christian martyrs, as well as to places where there have been alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary.

The second largest single pilgrimage in the history of Christendom was to the Funeral of Pope John Paul II after his death on April 2, 2005. An estimated four million people travelled to Vatican City, in addition to the almost three million people already living in Rome, to see the body of Pope John Paul II lie in state.

World Youth Day is a major Catholic Pilgrimage, specifically for people aged 16-35. It is held internationally every 2-3 years. In 2005, young Roman Catholics visited Cologne, Germany. In 1995, the largest gathering of all time was to World Youth Day in Manila, The Philippines, where four million people from all over the world attended.

The major Christian pilgrimages are to:

• Jerusalem. Site of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
• On roads such as the Via Francine. Site of the deaths of Saint Peter, Saint Paul and other early martyrs. Headquarters of the Catholic Church.
• Santiago de Compostela in Spain on the Way of St James (Spanish: the Camino de Santiago). This famous medieval pilgrimage to the shrine of Saint James is still popular today.

Group Pilgrimage Travel By Unitours

Pilgrimage is an important part of spiritual life for many Christians. Christians see life itself as a journey, coming from God and returning to God. The pilgrim seeks to separate himself from the everyday concerns of the world, and to spend time in the presence of God as he travels to a place of special meaning. A Pilgrimage is a symbol that is acted out.

1. A journey to sacred place or shrine.
2. A long journey or search, especially one of exalted purpose or moral significance.
Here are some of the best-known places visit on pilgrimage: Holy Lands (Israel / Palestine) Many visit the places where Jesus lived, especially during the Christian festivals (Bethlehem at Christmas, Jerusalem at Easter) Jerusalem: Ascend the Mount of Olives to marvel at the spectacular view of the Holy City of Jerusalem. Walk down the hill the Church of Peter Noster and the Chapel of Ascension.

Olive Wood Crosses of Jerusalem:
Olive Wood Crosses of Jerusalem The olive tree is traditionally a symbol of health and peace. The Olive Wood of Jerusalem is the symbol of Eternal Life and it is well known since ancient time. According to Christian religion believe Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, near Jerusalem near an olive tree, some says that this tree still exists today. The Olive Tree grows in the Holy Land and can survive for up to 2000 years. In the Bible, Noah sent out a dove from the ark to find dry land and the dove returned with an Olive branch. It is said that the Dove is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Olive tree has been highly admired since old times and it is considered as a blessed tree. The people planted olive trees in various parts of the Holy Land to spread its cultivation. The oil from the olives was used to anoint priests, prophets and kings to empower them as well as to pray for their healing.

Passion Play 2010 in Oberammergau : Germany

Part-I:

The passion play is a Biblical performance performed every ten years in Oberammergau, a city in Germany. The play tells the story of the Life and Death of Jesus and is performed outdoors where the sky and the mountains act as a natural backdrop. This pageantry is an amazing demonstration of splendid costumes and enchanting music. Over two thousand citizens of Germany participate in this exciting drama as actors, singers, instrumentalists and stage technicians, with a common objective of breathing life into the celebrated story through a six hour performance. This play is enacted in German and the performance begins in the afternoon at 2:30 PM, and the first half lasts till 5:00 PM. It continues from 8:00PM to 10:30 PM after a break for refreshment.
The passion play came into existence during the famous Thirty Years War. In the year 1633, the entire population of Oberammergau vowed to perform a “Play of the Suffering, Dying and Resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ”. They pledged to carry out the performance every ten years, if the Lord saved them from Bubonic Plague. All the inhabitants of the city survived this menace due to the grace of the Lord.
Wilcox Travel has been organizing tours to the Passion Play in Oberammergau since 1960. For the 2010 performance, we have several escorted tour packages which will take you through historic parts of Europe on the way to Oberammergau for a performance of the Play. For those who prefer to make their own travel plans or don’t wish to join a tour, we also have ticket-only packages that include hotel accommodations within walking distance to theater.

Part-II:
An important aspect related to the Passion Play is the cast of the play, who should be villagers that have resided in Oberammergau for at least twenty years. They need to be amateurs possessing superior ethical and moral principles. Great care is taken while selecting the costumes of the play. Since there is no custom of using wigs; the participants are required to grow their hair and beards several months ahead of the play. This is followed in accordance with the ‘Hair Decree’, counted from Ash Wednesday.
If you want to have a real feel of the life of Jesus from the four Gospels, you simply must attend this spectacular drama. Usually a once in a lifetime opportunity, visitors travel from all over the world to watch this age old tradition that has continued since the Middle Ages , and which is an indelible part of the Christian faith.
A visit to the city of Oberammergau, an interaction with the Passion Play performers, hearing their account on how it feels to be a part of this spiritual extravaganza is really a unique experience. You can also enjoy the Bavarian hospitality, their music, folk dancing along with their classical local cuisine. The city is also considered to be an ideal location if you want to tour Europe. You can plan out a schedule involving other parts

Catholic Mass - A True Sacrifice

A Catholic Mass, which is a liturgical function, can only be held in a church or an oratory which had been consecrated or at least blessed. An oratory is a structure other than a church, set aside by ecclesiastical authority for prayer and the celebration of Catholic Mass.
Catholic Mass: Rituals and Traditions
The Catholic Mass is a religious service of the Roman Catholic Church in a consecrated place by an authorized minister.Its central act is the performance of the sacrament of the Eucharist. It is based on the ancient Latin liturgy of the city of Rome, now used in most but not all, Roman Catholic churches.
The Mass is the complex of prayers and ceremonies that make up the service of the Eucharist in the Latin rites. The Holy Eucharist is celebrated as Christ hadinstituted it at the Last Supper, according to His command, in memory of Him.
Normally, Mass must be celebrated in a consecrated or blessed Church (private oratories or even rooms are allowed for special reasons at a consecrated altar (or at least on a consecrated altar-stone).Mass may be celebrated on any day in the year except Good Friday at any time between dawn and midday. There are restrictions against private celebrations on Holy Saturday and in the case of private oratories for certain great feasts.
A Catholic pilgrimage priest may say only one Mass each day, except that on Christmas Day when he may say three, and the first said immediately after midnight.In some countries (Spain and Portugal) a priest may also celebrate three times on All Souls' Day (2 November). Bishops may give leave to a priest to celebrate twice on Sundays and feasts of obligation. In cathedral and collegiate churches, as well as in those of religious orders who are bound to say the Canonical Hours every day publicly, there is a daily Mass corresponding to the Office and forming with it the complete cycle of the public worship of God.Two Main Types
A High (or sung) Mass requires a priest, deacon and choir. Low Mass, much more common, is the same service said by one priest.

Normally at Low Mass a server or acolyte helps the celebrant. Most of the text is invariable or ordinary,but certain parts, called proper, change with the catholic pilgrimages's occasion or day.

Understanding the Importance of Catholic Pilgrimage

Since 1979 Catholic Pilgrimages have formed a major portion of the Church group travel services offered by Casterbridge Church Tours. We have 30 years of experience in custom-designing Catholic Tours to shrines and places of retreat and devotion around the world. These pilgrimage tours can include Catholic Shrines or places of Marian apparition, such as Lourdes, Fatima, Knock, Santiago de Compostela, Medjugorje, or Zaragoza. Many of our pilgrimage tours are also combined with days of retreat and reflection.

Pilgrimage Tours provide a special opportunity for people to grow in their faith and deepen their knowledge of key places of devotion. True Catholic Pilgrimages journey with the giants of faith and our Catholic Tours bring groups to places once traveled by important Bible personalities. These spiritual pilgrimages allow you to walk with Christ on the road to Calvary, to stand in some of the very places where Peter and Paul proclaimed the truth of the resurrection. You are able to relive the Pentecost experience in the Upper Room or join with John the Baptist as he baptized Jesus in the River Jordan. Paul on your custom-designed Catholic Tour. Experience the unique benefits and fellowship of church group travel and design your spiritual pilgrimage today.

Catholic Pilgrimages are a golden opportunity to appreciate the traditions of the past, as well as the work of the Holy Spirit active in the Church of today. Catholic tours allow participants to feel the presence of St. Francis as you walk the hills of Assisi, experience the life and sacrifice of St. Catherine in Siena, or honor the legacy of St. Peter, which is alive in the person of the Pope in the Vatican. Make your Catholic Pilgrimage a true spiritual pilgrimage by participating in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome or in one of the other major basilicas or churches found in Italy and throughout the world. Our Catholic tours and itineraries can ignite your heart with the same missionary zeal that moved saints like Ignatius of Loyola, Vincent de Paul, Francis de Sales, Francis Xavier, Joan of Arc, Bridget, Faustina, and St. Therese of Lisieux.

Few experiences provide you with such life-changing opportunities as a Catholic Pilgrimage. These are a feast for the eyes, a challenge for the heart, and a means of true spiritual nourishment for your soul. With Casterbridge, every Catholic Pilgrimage is specifically designed to cater to the needs and spiritual objectives of your group. For over 30 years, Casterbridge Church Tours has been helping groups create truly spiritual Catholic pilgrimages that are suited to the unique needs of their particular parish. Maybe you would like to take a spiritual pilgrimage to learn more about a religious community that services your church. Catholic tours can celebrate milestone anniversaries or allow your church members to participate in a worldwide event that will enable you to meet with Catholics from across the globe. Whatever the event, your Catholic pilgrimage will include all the elements necessary for an incredible spiritual journey.