A pilgrim, from the Italian pelegrino, and that from the Latin peregrinus, signifying a traveler, denotes one who visits holy places from a principle of devotion. In the Middle Ages, Europe was filled with pilgrims repairing to Palestine to pay their veneration to the numerous spots consecrated in the annals of Holy Writ, more especially to the sepulchre of our Lord. In the eleventh century, the Turks, whose bigoted devotion to their own creed was only equalled by their hatred of every other form of faith, but more especially of Christianity, having obtained possession of Syria, the pilgrim no longer found safety in his pious journey. He who would then visit the sepulchre of his Lord must be prepared to encounter the hostile attacks of ferocious Saracens, and the Pilgrim Penitent, laying aside his peaceful garb, his staff and russet cloak, was compelled to assume the sword and coat of mail and become a Pilgrim Warrior. This story of the Crusades is beautifully told by John J. Robinson in his book "Born in Blood."
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This page is adapted from the Glossary at Phoenixmasonry — Used with permission.
