Pilgrimage yesterday and today : why? where? how? / J.G. Davies.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

The book opens with a fascinating section on Christian pilgrimage in the late Middle Ages, which recognises a continuity of tradition from the patristic period, especially where pilgrimage to Palestine is concerned. The author recognises that the picture he paints is 'somewhat of an idealised one', but his retaining of criticism for the second main section of his work enables the reader to 'feel' something of the spirit of pilgrimage for these early travellers. The latter part of the book, focusing on today's pilgrims conveyed a more self-conscious group of people questing for a meaningful way of making pilgrimage in the present. In the portrayal of pilgrimage in medieval times there is much to interest: itineraries, guide books and not least the pilgrims' handling of scripture, its symbolic and 'inner' interpretation being at least as important to them as its literal meaning. Nor were the pilgrims gullible. To be shown one particular saint's arm in three places was no more persuasive then than now. A certain pragmatism, however, in their interest in the indulgence rating of pilgrimages, perhaps inevitably left pilgrimage open to the criticism of the reformers; though criticism of pilgrimage pre-dated the Reformation and came from within the ranks of the faithful. Such criticism is thoroughly treated, as are aspects of Catholic response. Paradoxically, whilst the reformer might abhor pilgrimage to local shrines, the rediscovery of the Bible through its availability in vernacular translations stimulated an interest in 'the Holy Land'. Professor Davies also covers the Protestant rediscovery of pilgrimage in the 19th and 20th centuries, including an interesting excursion into the part played by Thomas Cook in the process. The penultimate section on the meaning of pilgrimage today will be useful for those studying pilgrimage with students in school, identifying the dynamics of pilgrimage now and both its continuity and disjunction with past practice. And here we find an interesting reflection on the concept of 'saint' in the present (p.171f). A concluding section offers prayers and devotions for today's pilgrims.