Teologia pielgrzymowania

Abstract

Going on pilgrimages has been a very popular form of piety. It has its deep theology, too. The author of the paper refers to two documents published by the Pontifical Council for the Care of Migrants and Itinerants on the occasion of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 and a number of statements made by the pope about the problem of going on pilgrimages. The author points to the most essential aspects of the theology of pilgriming. At the same time he shows their pastoral implications. He relies to a large degree on an analysis of Biblical images which constitute spiritual models for a pilgrimage (such as Abraham's quest, the exodus of the Israelites, a pilgrimage to the temple in Jerusalem among others). He groups his arguments into entries which constitute major stages of pilgriming – setting off, journeying and arriving at a destination. These are also stages of developing pastoral programme associated with every pilgrimage. The paper presents directions for further serious theological consideration and may offer valuable help to those who organise the pilgrimage movement.