Question

What are Martin Luther's views of religious pilgrimages? Would Luther prefer that prospective pilgrims make other choices instead? Does the Papacy condone the longevity of such spiritual journeys?

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.

(Answer) (1) Martin Luther believed that pilgrimages were a result of boredom and apathy from one’s own church and the preaching of the parish priests. He believed that it would be a better alternative to spend time in one’s own parish and serve the poor than go on a pilgrimage since he said that pilgrimages are seldom had for the right reasons.

(2) Luther believed that one would be closer to Christ and the saints if they were to use the resources of a pilgrimage to serve the needy and one’s one family or kin as opposed to using it for a pilgrimage.

(3) The Papacy grew weary of pilgrimages as it was an environment where the wholesale acceptance of customs was involved. The Papacy viewed these pilgrimages as an opportunity for the adoption of pagan customs and forms of worship. In principle, Catholicism does not mandate a pilgrimage in the life of a Catholic.