Pilgrimage in Place

Practicing Pilgrimage in the Place You Live

Throughout history, pilgrimage has been a practice observed across various faith traditions. While there are unique aspects to each tradition’s practice, there are also shared aspects: engaging in a ritual both to remember places of significance and to remember that our steps today echo the places where we have come from. The places we will continue to return to again and again. 

However, trips like this were not accessible for many people. Often, only the wealthiest of men could go on pilgrimage. More often, it was limited to those whose bodies could handle the physical challenges. Or, one would be hired to walk in place of another.

Over time, people began to get curious: What does pilgrimage look like if I can’t travel? Or can’t travel far? Or my body can’t go long distances? Or it’s unsafe for me to travel? Basically, how do I respond to this call to pilgrimage in the midst of my actual life? 

Generation after generation has translated pilgrimage into their own context, through the lens of their very real lives, abilities, cultures, and values. Each translation takes on its own identity and subtle foci, resulting in a practice that echoes pilgrimage and yet, is unique. Prayer labyrinths and the Stations of the Cross are great examples of pilgrimage in translation.

Pilgrimage in Place is a way to engage with pilgrimage in the very places where you live. These 1-2 day experiences, invite you to engage in the practice of pilgrimage through local walks. You may be surprised what you discover when you slow down and really start to see your neighborhood.

Note: The majority of these events occur in and around Seattle, but reach out if you’d like to bring Pilgrimage in Place to your community.