The Pilgrim Journey

A History of Pilgrimage in the Western World
This book provides a concise and illuminating overview of both the 2000-year history and today's renewed importance of pilgrimage in the Western world for readers and travelers of every faith and none.

The Pilgrim Journey tells the story of pilgrimage in the Western world over the course of two millennia: how pilgrimage was born and grew in antiquity, how it blossomed in the Middle Ages, how it faltered over subsequent centuries only to reemerge stronger than before in modern times. From the legendary journey of the Magi all the way to pilgrimages in the Americas-Chimay in New Mexico, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, and Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre in Canada-the book describes the pilgrim routes and sacred destinations, the pilgrims, the many hazards of travel, and the spiritual motivations and rewards.