Pilgrimage Pastoral Counseling

A pilgrimage is defined as a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place, where a person goes in search of new or expanded meaning about their self, others, nature, or a higher good, through the experience. It can lead to a personal transformation, after which the pilgrim returns to their daily life. Thus, “Pilgrimage Pastoral Counseling.”

Scripturally my practice is based on Luke 24:13–32, about two downcast pilgrims on the road to Emmaus. Jesus comes alongside them as a companion and listens to their laments, but these pilgrims do not know it is Jesus. Hope and healing come when at their evening meal with Jesus, their eyes were opened.  They realized the risen Christ had been their companion all along! In fact my seminary graduate paper and oral exams for Pastoral Care Certification were also based on this very scripture.