Spiritual Tourism
Posted on 25. Jan, 2018, in Christian Values, Church Teachings, Community, Ecology, Gospel Values1 Comment
Spiritual tourism is on the rise. Prof. Bernadette Flannagan, from SpIRE, the Spirituality Institute for Research and Education says that numbers for people going on sacred walks or visiting sacred sites has increased dramatically. Citing figures from those who registered to walk the Camino, she says that numbers from 1987 to now have increased from 3,000 to 300,000. She says it in indicative of a simpler vision of spirituality a yearning for something more authentic.
Bernadette will be at the SpIRE 2018 conference on Friday, 9th March 2018, which will be held in in the Waterford Institute of Technology. The aims, she says is to bring all the people who are operating on their own together to discuss ideas and to ensure that the authentic spiritual meaning is maintained at these sites. That they don’t just become another historical place to visit, but that people get a full contemplative experience and really walk the walk. She explained more to Miriam Gormally.
Registration is available via www.spireconf.com.
As ever, Bernadette gives a clear picture of her subject. Her open approach puts the Camino in the larger picture of embodies pilgrimage. I found this a very hopeful interview and, once again, feel the benefit of this newly discovered practice. Many thanks.