Rahtz E, Warber SL, Goldingay S, Dieppe P.
Transcendent Experiences Among Pilgrims to Lourdes: A Qualitative Investigation.
J Relig Health 2021;
60:3788-3806. [PMID:
34170474 PMCID:
PMC8227356 DOI:
10.1007/s10943-021-01306-6]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Millions of pilgrims visit Lourdes each year, often seeking revitalisation rather than miraculous cures. We sought to understand the phenomenon of transcendent experiences. We spoke with 67 pilgrims including assisted pilgrims, young volunteers and medical staff. About two in five reported a transcendent experience: some felt they had communicated or had close contact with a divine presence, while others reported a powerful experience of something intangible and otherworldly. Transcendent experiences are an important feature of pilgrimage to Lourdes and the place offers the faithful a means of connecting with the divine, with nature and with the self.
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