Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 77 No. 1, 2007.
Pregledni rad
Characteristics of Pilgrims in Međugorje - Motives and Meaning of Pilgrimages
Ivan Leutar
; Hrvatska katolička misija, Augsburg, Njemačka
Leopold Neuhold
; Katolički teološki fakultet Sveučilišta Karl-Franzen, Graz, Austrija
Zdravka Leutar
; Pravni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Sažetak
The article is founded on the theoretical theological, social and psychological requestioning of pilgrimages based on research conducted to date. Most of the research conducted is by German or English speaking regions seeing that this type of research is virtually non-existent in Croatia. Literature generally notes that research of pilgrimages is quite rare. The aim of this article is to investigate the characteristics of pilgrims, their motives to pilgrimage, the specifity of pilgrim sties and the influence of pilgrimages on every day life. The article is based on research conducted about Međugorje on a sample of 505 examinees in 2001. Examinees came from 33 countries. Data was collected via a semi-structured questionnaire translated into eight languages. The examination was conducted in two different periods: summer - more frequent; and October - quieter periods. The sample was appropriate. The questionnaire was completed anonymously by pilgrims who wished to do so during their afternoon rest period in the near vicinity of the church. Data was processed with the application of simple and complicated statistical methods. The intention was to analyse to what extent the results obtained were connected to the religiousness of the pilgrims themselves and socio-demographic characteristics.
The religiousness of pilgrims was analysed by the frequency of religious practise such as going to Holy Mass, how often they prayed personally and self-evaluation of their own religiousness. The results showed that they were most often practising believers and they mostly belonged to the Catholic Church but there were other religious beliefs represented too. Pilgrims believe that Mary has an important role in their lives and seek conversation with her. Their active participation in the parish community is narrowly tied to their religiousness. The motives of their pilgrimage are of a spiritual nature: searching for God and renewing their spiritual lives. Some other comparative research also for Međugorje gave identical motives for pilgrims. There were other important motives: to thank God; seek help in distress; prayer as conversation and internal peace for the soul; prayer for spiritual and bodily health for their loved ones and themselves personally. The activities and locality of the actual place was very important, particularly the Eucharist and other sacraments. For them Međugorje is a place of peace, a place to meet with God and Mary. The influence on their every day lives was spiritual renewal that strengthened their practising their faith. However, everyone without a doubt stressed that it brought them peace, hope, joy and security. Socio-demographic factors such as gender, age, education, marital status, material status, size of the town they come from did not significantly influence their motives to pilgrimage and what they experienced. The more decisive factor was their level of religiousness.
This article gives an insight into some of the characteristics of pilgrimages and pilgrims today. As such, it can be used as a starting point for further systematic research about pilgrimages that are rarely presented but are vital to rediscovering the »Holy« in a secularised world.
Ključne riječi
Međugorje; pilgrim; pilgrimage; site of pilgrimage; motives for pilgrimaging; activities
Hrčak ID:
23610
URI
Datum izdavanja:
17.7.2007.
Posjeta: 5.264 *