Pilgrimages are a great opportunity to listen to yourself, pray with other believers, talk about spiritual topics. Many people make pilgrimages regularly because it gives them great joy. However, according to the accounts of some pilgrims, as well as people who participate in these events indirectly, not everyone remembers them fondly – for many reasons.
“I don’t have the nerves for it”
I used to go on pilgrimages regularly once or twice a year. Two places are organized from my parish. I regret to admit that at some point I just stopped going to them and started praying more at home and at church. It’s nice that more and more young people are seen on pilgrimages, but I have the impression that they go there for social purposes, not spiritual ones. They talk loudly while the rest try to pray. Our singing is drowned out by shouting. More than once our priest had to silence several such groups. When it was overnight, they stayed up late and had libations. That’s not what it’s all about. It became so notorious that I just quit. I don’t have the nerves for it
Edith told us. Alice, on the other hand, has quite the opposite experience:
I remember well every pilgrimage I took part in. The only thing that saddens me a little is the fact that there are fewer and fewer of us every year. But I have my “team” there and maybe it’s even better. The fewer people, the more you can focus on prayer.
Trash is the least of the problems
Michał, on the other hand, sees pilgrimages from the side. And he’s not very happy about it. According to him, pilgrims leave behind a real garbage. Unfortunately, among the remnants, there are not only garbage…
I don’t go on pilgrimages, but it so happens that I live on a route where people make pilgrimages. My house is at the end of the village, near the forest. Well, guess what can happen when there are a lot of people traveling and the forest. After they pass, a whole lot of “papers”. Every year, they make a public restroom behind my fence, leave a garbage can, bottles, plastic bags for sandwiches… I’m afraid to go out for a walk, pick mushrooms! Once I even found a condom thrown somewhere behind a tree!
Fortunately, there are also a lot of advantages associated with pilgrimage. In addition to the obvious march in a good atmosphere, with prayer and singing on their lips, many people form friendships and even closer relationships with other people. Sandra has fond memories, although not without a pinch of scandal.
My mother took me and my sister from my childhood. We always had a great time, and my favorite part was singing religious songs. This is how I met my husband, because he always carried a loudspeaker on his back. We got really close because of the pilgrimages, but you know, so spiritually. Not that there was any profanity going on there. Though I’ve heard of them too. Apparently, on a pilgrimage a few years ago, a girl from my parish got pregnant. Indeed, after a few months, I saw her with a pram, but if it was precisely then that she was conceived, you know … No one ran after her with the test. We can only guess. But the rumors were all over town.
Opinions about pilgrimages vary. Definitely, however, if we are going to them, it is worth making a real examination of conscience, whether we are really interested in prayer, silence, entrusting ourselves to God. Opportunities for conversations, gossip, dates or drunk parties can be sought in other circumstances. Not necessarily on the way to church or sanctuary.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
