How travel might become more like spiritual pilgrimage: An autoethnographic study

ABSTRACT

This paper is based on an autoethnographic study of travel as spiritual pilgrimage. It includes a critical analysis of literature regarding forms of Christian pilgrimage over the ages, examining how time and culture impact upon conceptions of pilgrimage. The author reflects upon her own experiences and analyses field notes collected as she travelled over a seven-week period, including an eight-day pilgrimage across St. Cuthbert’s Way in the UK. Stages and themes of pilgrimage are discussed and suggestions are made as to how travel might become more like pilgrimage.

KEYWORDS:

• Pilgrimage
• spirituality
• travel
• Celtic Christianity
• social work

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Laura Béres is Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at King’s University College at Western University, London, Canada. Her most recent books include an edited collection, Practising Spirituality: Reflections on Meaning-making in Personal and Professional Contexts (2016) and a monograph, The Narrative Practitioner (2014). Her research and teaching interests intersect narrative therapy, critical reflection of practice, and Christian spirituality.