New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Pilgrimage: Walsingham and Taize

I can explain the importance of pilgrimage and the significance of Walsingham and Taizé for Christians.

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Pilgrimage: Walsingham and Taize

I can explain the importance of pilgrimage and the significance of Walsingham and Taizé for Christians.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A pilgrimage is a religious journey to a holy site/sacred place; it is an act of worship and devotion.
  2. Walsingham is a village in Norfolk, England, and has been a Christian pilgrimage site since the 11th century.
  3. Walsingham became a place of pilgrimage after the Virgin Mary appeared in a vision to Richeldis de Faverches.
  4. Taizé is a Christian ecumenical monastic community founded in the village of Taizé, France, in 1940 by Roger Schutz.
  5. Pilgrims go to Taizé to gather, pray, reflect, and connect across traditions in an atmosphere of peace and simplicity.

Keywords

  • Monastic - refers to living a religious life in a distinct community and being focused on prayer and devotion to God

  • Pilgrimage - a religious journey to a holy site/sacred place; it is an act of worship and devotion

  • Taizé - a Christian monastic community founded in the village of Taizé, France, in 1940

  • Walsingham - a village in Norfolk, England, which has been a Christian pilgrimage site since the 11th century

Common misconception

Only people who are religious go on pilgrimage.

Anyone can go on a pilgrimage, whether they are religious or not. However, most pilgrims are religious.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Pilgrimage: Walsingham and Taize, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
A pilgrimage is a religious journey and is considered an act of and devotion.

Correct Answer: worship, Worship

Q2.
What does Luke 2:41-42 describe?

Jesus' birth
Jesus' death and resurrection
Correct answer: Jesus and his family visiting Jerusalem for Passover

Q3.
Christians visit because it is a historically and religiously significant city in Jesus’ life.

Correct Answer: Jerusalem, jerusalem

Q4.
Why is Iona important for Christian pilgrims?

it is for tourists only
it is where Jesus was crucified
Correct answer: it was a centre of early Christianity in Scotland

Q5.
Who founded the original monastery on Iona?

St. John
Correct answer: St. Columba
St. Augustine

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
A pilgrimage is an act of and devotion.

Correct Answer: worship, Worship

Q2.
The Virgin appeared to Richeldis, leading to Walsingham becoming a site of religious importance.

Correct Answer: Mary, mary

Q3.
Where is Taizé located?

Belgium
Correct answer: France
Italy

Q4.
Which Christian value is strongly expressed at Taizé?

competition
Correct answer: unity
isolation

Q5.
Why might non-religious people go on pilgrimage?

Correct answer: out of spiritual interest or for historical reasons
to convert to a religion
to watch believers in action