HOLY LANDS IN NORTH AMERICA
by Kay Saffari
Lori Erickson, author of “Holy Rover”
When most people think of a pilgrimage, they generally
think of an unforgettable trip to the Holy Land or a once-
in-a-lifetime trek to Mecca. For some, the term triggers
a vision of biblical or medieval times and seems out of
place in modern day 2017, but for others, a pilgrimage
is an integral part of their present-day faith.
Merriam-Webster defines a pilgrimage as “a journey of
a pilgrim; especially one to a shrine or a sacred place,”
and dictionary.com defines it as “a journey, especially
a long one, made to some sacred place as an act of
religious devotion.”
Many Catholics might make a pilgrimage to the
Vatican and additional sites in Rome, while other
Christian denominations would most likely go to
Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Muslims who are
financially able are required to plan a hajj, a pilgrimage
to Mecca, at least once in their lifetime, and Hindus
take part in Kumbha Mela, a pilgrimage in which millions
travel to designated locations to bathe in sacred rivers.
But these well-known spiritual journeys for followers
of the major world religions do not fully define what a
pilgrimage can be. According to religious travel writer
Lori Erickson, a pilgrimage can still have significant
meaning even if it is much more simple and closer
to home.
Erickson’s recently published book, “Holy Rover –
Journeys in Search of Mystery, Miracles, and God,”
chronicles her travels on 12 diverse pilgrimages, and
she shares the lessons she learns from them. Although
she does travel to some of the more well-known
spots—Jerusalem, the Holy Land and the Martin Luther
sites in Germany—Erickson also journeys to places in
the United States that some might not characterize as
pilgrimages at first glance.
A trip to Indiana to practice Buddhism? She says
that’s a pilgrimage. Spending time at an abbey in
Kentucky with a group of silent Trappist monks? Also a
pilgrimage. What about a solitary stroll around Walden
Pond, just like author Henry David Thoreau used to do in
the 19th century? Is that a pilgrimage? Indeed it is!
Here is a look at those options, as well as a fourth site
in the U.S., that she discusses in “Holy Rover.”
8
trip planner
Walden Pond (Concord, Massachusetts)
Henry David Thoreau, American author of “Walden,”
lived at Walden Pond from July 1845 until September
1847 in a rustic, one-room cabin that he built. He
embraced the simple, solitary life on the pond and
was inspired by nature. Many believe that Thoreau and
“Walden” began the conservation movement in the
United States.
Today visitors can see a replica of Thoreau’s cabin,
enjoy the scenery, take a stroll and even swim during
warm weather. The pond and the 2,700 undeveloped
woods surrounding it are part of the National Historic
Landmark composing Walden Pond State Reservation.
Groups can go on guided tours year-round, as well as
visit a gift shop, a bookstore and an art gallery.