Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture 1. A Pilgrim’s Journey

Turner (1978) states that “a pilgrim is an initiand, entering into a new, deeper level of existence than he has known in his accustomed milieu” (Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture, p8).  That statement really resonates with me and holds true to what I think every pilgrim goes through before embarking on a journey that could change the way they see the world. Before every big journey there is a reason behind one’s desire to go on that journey and often times this comes from one seeking some type of truth or spirituality that will change the way they see the world and life. Turner discusses how pilgrims enter a “new, deeper level of existence than he has known in his accustomed milieu” and I think what he is getting at is the idea that pilgrims have no idea what their adventure will hold; however, what they do know is that they are embarking on this journey because they are looking for something out there that can impact them and change their lives for the best.

Turner goes on to say that “what is secret in the Christian pilgrimage, then, is the inward movement of the heart” (Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture, p8) which connects to this idea of an individual’s specific experience in their own unique journey. Turner talks about how one embarks on their own journey and by that it is to their knowledge and their experience that directly transforms their heart. This is not something that a Pilgrim is likely to share with the world but rather, as Turner stated, an inward movement of the heart is likely to occur which is a beautiful moment that is between the hiker and his journey.