In the Christian faith tradition pilgrimage was first made to sites connected with the birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Early church fathers like Saint Jermone encouraged the faithful to be pilgrims and Constantine the Great’s mother Saint Helena is said to have established the concept.

Saint Helena, also known as Helena Augusta or Helena of Constantinople, is renowned for her role in promoting Christianity and her pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Helena was likely born around 250 AD in Drepanum (modern-day Turkey). She married the Roman Emperor Constantius Chlorus, and their son was Constantine the Great. Helena converted to Christianity later in life, possibly influenced by her son Constantine and in 326 AD undertook pilgrimage to the Holy Lands. She travelled to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, seeking out the sites associated with Jesus Christ's life and ministry. During her pilgrimage, Helena is traditionally credited with several important discoveries. According to tradition, Helena discovered the True Cross (the cross on which Jesus was crucified) buried beneath the site of the crucifixion in Jerusalem. Helena also identified and helped build the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, commemorating the sites of Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Helena's influence extended beyond her pilgrimage. She supported the Christian community in various ways, including the construction of churches and the promotion of Christian practices. Over the many years the concept of pilgrimage has expanded to not only encompass the significance of the destination but also the journey along the way.

The purpose of Christian pilgrimage was summarised by Pope Benedict XVI in this way:

‘To go on pilgrimage is not simply to visit a place to admire its treasures of nature, art or history. To go on pilgrimage really means to step out of ourselves in order to encounter God where he has revealed himself, where his grace has shone with particular splendour and produced rich fruits of conversion and holiness among those who believe.’

Pope Francis said, “Pilgrimage is not the same as a Vacation… Making a Pilgrimage to shrines is one of the most eloquent expressions of the faith of God’s people… It would be a mistake to think that those who go on a pilgrimage live a spirituality that is not personal but rather of the masses. The reality is that the pilgrim carries within him his own history and faith and the lights and shadows of his own life. Each person carries within his or her heart a special wish and a particular prayer. Those who enter the shrine immediately feel they are at home, welcomed, understood, and supported.”

As we journey towards 2025 and the Jubilee year of ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ Pope Francis writes,

‘Pilgrimage is of course a fundamental element of every Jubilee event. Setting out on a journey is traditionally associated with our human quest for meaning in life. A pilgrimage on foot is a great aid for rediscovering the value of silence, effort and simplicity of life.’

A pilgrimage can be challenging, it takes us out of our comfort zone as God is revealed to us through this transformational experience. Revelation occurs not only necessarily at the places we visit but also in those that we encounter and stories that are shared on the journey.

Over the coming months we pray for those who are journeying on the Diocesan aMeN caMiNo and the pilgrimage to Ireland.

On 17 August, we invite you to sample the aMeN caMiNo experience through a Community Walk and 7 & 8 September you are invited to the aMeN caMiNo weekend experience during this year’s Season of Creation at the beautiful Myall Coast.  For more information visit our website: https://www.mn.catholic.org.au/church-mission/catholic-life/faith-formation/amen-camino/

For those wanting to learn more about pilgrimage, you are invited to the Diocesan Resource Centre on 2 August for Formation Friday’s session on the Heart of Pilgrimage and 3 August our film is ‘The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.’ To register go to: https://www.mn.catholic.org.au/places/library/

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