Long-Distance Pilgrimage and the Counter Reformation in France: Sacred Journeys to the Mont Saint-Michel 1520 to 1750

In the Counter Reformation, a great upsurge in pilgrimage activity occurred across Europe. Much of this pilgrimage was to local shrines, often newly created. Another destination was Rome. Less well known is the post-Reformation refashioning of ancient, long-distance pilgrimages. This article examine...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of religious history
Main Author: Tingle, Elizabeth C. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Wiley-Blackwell [2017]
In: Journal of religious history
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B France / Counter-Reformation / Mont-Saint-Michel / Pilgrimage / History 1520-1750
IxTheo Classification:AG Religious life; material religion
CB Christian life; spirituality
KAG Church history 1500-1648; Reformation; humanism; Renaissance
KBG France
KDB Roman Catholic Church
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
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Summary:In the Counter Reformation, a great upsurge in pilgrimage activity occurred across Europe. Much of this pilgrimage was to local shrines, often newly created. Another destination was Rome. Less well known is the post-Reformation refashioning of ancient, long-distance pilgrimages. This article examines the origins and nature of such revived pilgrimage, using the example of the Mont Saint-Michel in northern France. In the Catholic Reformation, the traditional, distant centres of pilgrimage contributed to the devotional culture of individuals and groups who wanted to go beyond the local, to experience a challenge as part of their spiritual and social growth. At the Mont, revival of the shrine came from the universality of the cult of St Michael, his role in the struggle against heresy, and veneration tied increasingly to that of Christ through the Eucharist. While pilgrims continued to travel in search of, or in thanksgiving for, healing and other graces, there was also greater emphasis on spiritual healing and intimacy with God. Also, for many young men, they proved themselves and their Catholicity by undertaking this heroic journey. Through the pilgrimage to the Mont, reformed Catholicism spread many of its ideas and values around the cities and communities of northern France.
ISSN:1467-9809
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of religious history
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1111/1467-9809.12385