One can purchase the “Jesus Comic” iPod application and follow the main events of Jesus’ life for some spiritual insight while on the go.
Others can make a virtual pilgrimage through their avatar in the virtual world Second Life.
Still, others can submit their prayer intentions to the Lourdes, France shrine via email and have them placed in the grotto near which Mary was said to appear in 1858 to St. Bernadette.
Dr. Maryellen Davis Collett, Lewis Theology Professor, brought up these instances at the recent lecture, “Virtually Sacred: Pilgrimage and Memory in the Internet Age” as part of The Art of Memory Symposium.
Collett explained how technology, specifically the Internet, has created unique circumstances for how one can now practice their religion, but primarily make a pilgrimage.
One question that arose throughout this lecture was, “Is it really a pilgrimage if someone does not physically go there?” Technology has made the answer to this question skewed.
Collett showed her avatar walking through the detailed Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The avatar could interact with the space by choosing to pray in various locations or by gaining educational information on the site, which was available by having the avatar “touch” certain objects.
She showed how one can watch the 24 hour webcams available on Lourdes-france.org. This allows people to always be aware of the action at the pilgrimage site, which is said to have healing power, for an extended period of time.
However, why would someone make these pilgrimages via the Internet and not in person? Technology provides resources in case the person is too sick, financially instable or physically unable to make the trip.
On the other hand, some argue, that for it to be a true pilgrimage, there must be a sense of destination, community, and even sacrifice. These aspects would be lacking if someone chose to take their pilgrimage through Second Life or submit a prayer intention through the Lourdes Web Site.
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