Pilgrims or Visitors?

The Turin Shroud is on view to the public for the first time in ten years. Are people who go to see it pilgrims or visitors?

A pilgrim can be defined as a person who travels to a holy place for religious reasons. A visitor is a person who visits a place for any number of reasons.

Christians who believe that the Shroud is the real burial cloth of Jesus Christ would no doubt consider themselves pilgrims if they were to 'visit' the exhibition.

Although carbon dating puts the Shroud back to the Middle Ages, the evidence on the cloth itself of blood stains and the imprint of a bearded man's face remains compelling. So compelling in fact that people have been fascinated by the thing for centuries.

Therefore, would not the main reason to go and have a look at the Shroud be to satisfy one's curiosity? For one true pilgrim there will undoubtedly be ten curious visitors.

The media and the Catholic Church (which has no official position on the Shroud) should stop calling people who go to see the Shroud 'pilgrims'. It is simply misleading and only serves to build up the mythology that surrounds this intriguing historical artefact.

The Archbishop of Turin, Cardinal Severino Poletto, said "The Holy Shroud Exhibition is a spiritual and religious event, it is neither touristic nor commercial."

With 2 million people expected to come and see the Shroud, Turin will undoubtedly enjoy a positive economic impact. At least entrance to the Cathedral where the Shroud is on show is free. All one has to do is register in advance. Check out the official website here.

The Archbishop has also been quoted as saying that we should view the Shroud with our hearts and not our minds. This is certainly a holy aspiration, but it is unlikely to stop even the Faithful asking questions about this blood stain here or that one there.