Definition

Noun: A pilgrim's journey is a trip or voyage made to a location considered holy or sacred by a particular religion or spiritual tradition. The purpose is often for religious devotion, to fulfill a vow, to seek spiritual growth, or to perform a ritual.

Usage

The term is used to describe the specific act of traveling as a pilgrim. It emphasizes the spiritual purpose and destination of the travel, rather than the physical journey alone. - It is typically used in a religious or historical context. - It can be used literally to describe an actual trip or metaphorically to describe a difficult personal quest with a meaningful goal.

Examples

• The devout Muslim saved for years to undertake the pilgrim's journey to Mecca.
• In the Middle Ages, a pilgrim's journey to Jerusalem was fraught with danger.
• Her recovery from illness felt like a long pilgrim's journey toward health and peace.

Advanced Usage

• "To make/undertake a pilgrim's journey": This is a common collocation emphasizing the deliberate and significant act of beginning the sacred trip.
  • He made a pilgrim's journey to the shrine of Saint James in Spain.

Variants and Related Words

• Pilgrimage (n): This is the most common and direct synonym for "pilgrim's journey." It is more frequently used in modern English.
  • They went on a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
• Pilgrim (n): A person who undertakes a pilgrim's journey.
• Sacred journey (n): A more general term for travel to a holy site.

Synonyms

• Pilgrimage
• Religious expedition
• Sacred voyage

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step": While not exclusive, this proverb can be applied to the concept of a long and difficult pilgrim's journey, emphasizing the importance of starting.

Noun

1. a journey to a sacred place