Daniel Gittelman- Medieval pilgrimage and Modern pilgrimage (Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture)

 In their book, Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture, Victor Turner and Edith L.B. Turner make a point to emphasize medieval pilgrimage and modern pilgrimage. Medieval pilgrimage was vastly different, but it laid the foundation for modern pilgrimage. One major difference is that medieval pilgrimage in Europe was “hazardous, beset by robbers, thieves…” (7). Modern pilgrimage is far safer because of cultural shifts and societal progress. One expects to come across a trail angel before a thief. 

Medieval times developed pilgrimage to be what it is today. It is not as beneficial to contrast the time periods as it is to discuss the progress. One great development of pilgrimages through history is how “communitas persists through religious and theological change” (202). Pilgrimage began with desires to leave the ordinary and visit sacred religious places, and that common desire among Europeans developed communitas among them. Communitas helped to provide safety on the pilgrimage routes, and it continues to develop through changes and advancements.

Postindustrial pilgrimage is also discussed. The development of communitas that began with medieval pilgrimage is evident “in Lourdes [where] there is a sense of living communitas, whether in the great singing processions by torchlight or in the agreeable little cafes of the back streets…” (230). Modern pilgrimage is different due to modern tourism, but this is a development that medieval pilgrimage started due to the sense of communitas shared among people on the pilgrimage routes.

The results of communitas are seen in Dr. Kip Redick’s paper “See My Journey on Facebook” when he states of the Appalachian Trail that “Long-distance hikers experience the wilderness through trails created by volunteers, painted blazes, and constructed shelters” (p. 3). Although this is not European, the volunteering and other forms of help described are a development of communitas from the medieval pilgrimages because people have developed stronger relationships with other hikers. These helpers enjoy the environment that pilgrimage and through-hiking have developed, so they partake in communitas by providing support to other hikers while seeing them as equals.