1. What do you think is happening? How would it feel to be there?
Catholic pilgrims have come to see a statue of Our Lady of Medjugorje. Six children in this town claimed to have visions of Mary holding a child in her arms.
One of the children talked to Mary and received messages from her.
What do you think is happening?
How would it feel to be there?

2. Pilgrimage Learning objectives:
To be able to define what a pilgrimage is
To be able to describe the differences between two types of pilgrimage
To be able to explain the importance of pilgrimage to Christians

3. Choose your challenge:
Engage
Endeavour
Explore
Elaborate
Evaluate
End
Choose your challenge:
Write down your own definition of
pilgrimage including two key ideas. OR
Explain why pilgrimage is seen as an act of worship.
Do you already know anything
about pilgrimage?
A pilgrimage is not just a physical journey to a special place: it is also a spiritual journey towards God. There will be lots of opportunities for prayer and worship. Some pilgrims will visit famous shrines. Some prefer to go to remote places
where they can reflect on their lives.

4. Pilgrimage Learning objectives:
To be able to define what a pilgrimage is
To be able to describe the differences between two examples of pilgrimage
To be able to explain the importance of pilgrimage to Christians

5. Two contrasting Christian pilgrimages
Engage
Endeavour
Explore
Elaborate
Evaluate
End
Two contrasting Christian pilgrimages
Iona
Read your information sheet and underline the four most important ideas.
Think about:
What happens there
Why people would go there
Challenge:
How might a pilgrimage strengthen someone’s faith?
Lourdes
You must now teach your partner about your place of worship!

6. Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Lourdes, in south-west France, is a place of pilgrimage dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus. In 1858 a young girl named Bernadette had visions of Mary in a cave near the river. Mary told Bernadette to dig for a spring of water, which was discovered to have healing properties. Now thousands of pilgrims visit Lourdes to pray in the cave where Mary appeared and to bathe in the healing water. It is claimed that 67 miracles and over 6000 other cures have taken place there. Many of these pilgrims are sick or disabled and are accompanied by able-bodied helpers.

7. Pilgrimage to Iona
Iona is an island off the west coast of Scotland. In the 6th century AD, St Columba, an Irish missionary who brought Christianity to Scotland, established a small monastic community there. It is now the home of the Iona Community and a place of Christian pilgrimage. Some people think Iona is a ‘thin place’, where the veil between the physical and the spiritual world is thin. Since Iona is a remote and windswept place, for many pilgrims it feels like a place where nature reveals God’s power and presence. Pilgrims may attend services at the local church, go on a hike to the island’s holy places, and spend time in silent reflection or meditation.

8. Explain two contrasting examples of Christian pilgrimage. (4)
Engage
Endeavour
Explore
Elaborate
Evaluate
End
GCSE Exam Question
Explain two contrasting examples of Christian pilgrimage. (4)
Remember:
In a 4 mark answer you must give two different examples and explain each one.
Some Christian pilgrims go to ______ because…
Other Christian pilgrims go to ______ so that/because…

9. Explain two contrasting examples of Christian pilgrimage. (4)
Engage
Endeavour
Explore
Elaborate
Evaluate
End
Explain two contrasting examples of Christian pilgrimage. (4)
Model answer
Some Christian pilgrims go to Lourdes because of the miracles that have happened there; such as people being healed from disability or illness.
Other Christian pilgrims got to Iona so that they can feel closer to God because the windswept place seems like a place where nature reveals God’s power and presence.
You could include…
Lourdes:
Pilgrims go because of the miracles
Some pray for a miracle in their own life e.g. to be healed
They may visit the grotto where Mary appeared to St. Bernadette
Those who are too ill to walk are taken by special ambulances
Iona:
Pilgrims may go for personal reasons
They spend time praying and studying the Bible in quietness
It is easy to be alone if they want to as it is peaceful
They like to remember the saints of the past who lived and prayer there e.g. St Columba

10. Pilgrimage Learning objectives:
To be able to define what a pilgrimage is
To be able to describe the differences between two types of pilgrimage
To be able to explain the importance of pilgrimage to Christians

11. Think, pair, share: Why is pilgrimage important to Christians?
Engage
Endeavour
Explore
Elaborate
Evaluate
End
Think, pair, share: Why is pilgrimage important to Christians?
Christians go on pilgrimage to:
Grow closer to God and strengthen their faith
Express sorrow for sin and be forgiven
Reflect on their lives
Pray for something special
Seek a cure for an illness
Meet with others who share their faith
Experience a holy place
Choose two of the ideas above and explain each more fully (can you link them to Lourdes or Iona?).
Choose one point and explain how it could link to a Christian teaching (such as a belief about God or Jesus).
Challenge: ‘Prayer is more important than pilgrimage.’ Evaluate this statement by considering both sides of the argument.

12. Easter Describe the events linked to Holy Week
Explain the symbolism of Easter celebrations
Explain the importance of Easter for Christians

13. On which day in Holy Week did these events happen?
Palm Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Maundy Thursday
Good Friday
Saturday
Easter Sunday
Jesus is whipped
Jesus’ resurrection
Judas agrees to betray Jesus
Jesus clears the Temple
Jesus rode to Jerusalem on a donkey
Jesus has his ‘Last Supper’
A crown of thorns is placed on Jesus’ head
Jesus teaches in the Temple
Jesus prays in the garden
Jesus is nailed to a cross
Jesus is arrested and put on trial
Jesus dies
Jesus is buried

14. Easter Describe the events linked to Holy Week
Explain the symbolism of Easter celebrations
Explain the importance of Easter for Christians

15. At dawn on Sunday morning, two women, both called Mary, went to the grave where Jesus’ body had been laid.
It was empty. The body was gone. An angel spoke to them and said, “Don’t be afraid. Jesus is not here. He has risen.”

16. The two women turned to go to tell their friends what had happened when suddenly Jesus was there. The women fell at his feet and worshipped him. Jesus told them to tell the rest of his friends that he had risen from the dead. The women ran as fast as they could with this good news.

17. How do Christians celebrate Easter?
Event
What happens / when
Why / symbolism
Christians are given palm crosses
Palm Sunday, keep crosses until Lent
Branches put on floor in Jerusalem for Jesus to ride over - respect
Maundy Thursday
Go to church for mass
Queen gives Maundy money
Remember Jesus’ final meal and his betrayal (Jesus’ predictions about the betrayal)
The vicar wears black, church candles are not lit
Good Friday – Jesus died for our good
Crosses also carried through streets
Remembers Jesus’ death, suffering, love for mankind
Service of Light (Easter Sunday)
No lights in church; fire outside, Paschal candle lit
Procession through church with candle remembers the ‘light of Christ’; God is thanked for his sacrifice
Easter eggs are eaten
Resurrection, spiritual rebirth, opening of the tomb, possibility of eternal life
Find out why the following this happen as part of Holy Week:

18. Easter is important because…
Jesus’ resurrection proved he was the son of God
His predictions about his death and resurrection came true – his words are trustworthy
No need to fear death
Good will triumph over evil
Write a paragraph explaining in your own words why Easter is important to Christians.
‘Easter celebrations are not relevant today.’ Discuss.

19. Christmas: you need to know…
Why do Christians celebrate Christmas?
What happens during midnight Mass?
What do Christingles represent?

20. Homework Review Please green pen your answers!
Why do Christians celebrate Christmas?
Christmas remembers the birth of Jesus
Thank God for the incarnation
Help people in need
Family time
2.What happens during midnight Mass?
Eucharist (bread and wine) in near darkness, only candles are lit.
Gospel reading – lights come on – WHY??
Carols are sung
Nativity scene MINUS the 3 wise men