First published in 1978, Image and Pilgrimage in Christian Culture is
a classic work examining the theological doctrines, popular notions, and
corresponding symbols and images promoting and sustaining Christian
pilgrimage. The book examines two major aspects of pilgrimage practice:
the significance of context, or the theological conditions giving rise
to pilgrimage and the folk traditions enabling worshippers to absorb the
meaning of the event; and the images and symbols embodying the
experience of pilgrimage and transmitting its visions in varying ways.
Retelling its own tales of "mere mortals" confronted by potent visions,
such as the man Juan Diego who found redemption with the Lady of
Guadalupe and the poor French shepherdess Bernadette whose encounter
with the Lady at Lourdes inspired Christians across the globe, this text
treats religious visions as both paradox and empowering phenomena, tying
them explicitly to the times in which they occurred. Offering vivid
vignettes of social history, it extends their importance beyond the
realm of the religious to our own conceptions of reality.
Extensively revised throughout, this edition includes a new introduction
by the theologian Deborah Ross situating the book within the work of
Victor and Edith Turner and among the movements of contemporary culture.
She addresses the study's legacy within the discipline, especially its
hermeneutical framework, which introduced a novel method of describing
and interpreting pilgrimage. She also credits the Turners with cementing
the link between mysticism, popular devotion, and Christian culture, as
well as their recognition of the relationship between pilgrimage and the
deep spiritual needs of human beings. She concludes with various
critiques of the Turners' work and suggests future directions for
research.
