Powers of Pilgrimage: Religion in a World of Movement

Pious processions, miraculous healing, and journeys to far-away sacred places are all forms of religious pilgrimage, but not everyone has the resources or mobility to take part in them. Powers of Pilgrimage argues that we must question the universality of Western assumptions of what religion is and where it should be located and proposes that pilgrimage should be understood not solely as going to, staying at, and leaving a sacred place, but also as occurring in ordinary times, places, and practices.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 21 December 2021
Publisher: New York University Press

A transformative reinterpretation of religious pilgrimage encompasses pious processions, revered healing sites, and expeditions to distant sacred places. While the traditional notion of pilgrimage often revolves around journeying to the core of sacred shrines, it can also manifest in seemingly ordinary locations. Recognizing that not everyone possesses the resources or physical ability to embark on religious journeys to foreign lands, some individuals find profound meaning in religious movements that occur closer to home, outside of officially sanctioned practices.

In his groundbreaking work, Powers of Pilgrimage challenges the universal assumptions underlying Western notions of religion and its geographical location. He questions the notion that "genuine" pilgrimage must be solely linked to discrete, formally recognized forms of religiosity. This essential volume advocates for broadening our perspective to reevaluate the significance, breadth, and magnitude of contemporary manifestations of pilgrimage and pilgrimage-related activities. It highlights the interconnectedness of pilgrimage sites, journeys, rituals, stories, and metaphors with various aspects of people's lives, spanning from the seemingly mundane act of taking a stroll down the street to the profound experience of forced migration to another country or continent.

Powers of Pilgrimage presents a novel theoretical lexicon and framework for delving into the realm of human pilgrimage. It offers a comprehensive overview of how we can comprehend pilgrimage activity and proposes that it should be understood not merely as a journey to, stay at, and depart from a sacred place but also as an occurrence in everyday times, places, and practices. By expanding our understanding of pilgrimage, this book encourages us to recognize its transformative potential and its ability to enrich our lives and broaden our horizons.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780814717288