Reply To: Pilgrimage Churches

[Valene]

To take a pilgrimage was an important part of the Christian faith in this time period. It was said it was “an expression of Christian devotion and it was believed that it could purify the soul and perhaps even produce miraculous healing benefits.’ Due to the end-time teachings that many followers believe in, when the end-time had not occurred many felt the pilgrimage would show gratitude and reverence for their faith and honoring it until the end time occurred. Church design changed to accommodate these pilgrimage people by keeping the center of the church for the local worshipers and an outer area for relics and pilgrimage people to visit and not disturb each other. The church of Santiago de Compostela was one of the very popular pilgrimage options that was affordable to most and easy to accomplish.