pilgrimage
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pilgrimage
A journey to a holy place for religious reasons, in order to pray there or have a spiritual experience. Such journeys are often undertaken on foot and in groups.
Jedes Jahr unternehmen Tausende von Pilgern eine Wallfahrt nach Santiago de Compostela.
Every year, thousands of pilgrims undertake a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
The word 'Wallfahrt' (pilgrimage) is composed of 'wallen', an old word for 'pilgern' (to go on a pilgrimage) or 'wandern' (to hike/wander), and 'Fahrt' (journey/trip). So it literally describes a pilgrimage journey.
Die Familie plant eine Wallfahrt zu einem berühmten Kloster in den Alpen.
The family is planning a pilgrimage to a famous monastery in the Alps.
In connection with 'Wallfahrt' (pilgrimage), the verbs 'machen' (to make/do) or the somewhat more formal 'unternehmen' (to undertake) are often used.
Viele Gläubige unternehmen jedes Jahr eine Wallfahrt zu diesem heiligen Ort.
Many believers undertake a pilgrimage to this holy place every year.
To indicate the destination of the journey, the preposition 'nach' (to) is typically used, followed by a geographic name.
Die Gruppe organisierte eine Wallfahrt nach Lourdes.
The group organized a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
procession
'Prozession' and 'Wallfahrt' can both have to do with religion, groups, and walking. Even so, they do not mean the same thing. A 'Prozession' is a solemn procession, often in an ordered line and often at a festival or ceremony. A 'Wallfahrt' is a journey to a holy place, usually for religious reasons. The words can be confused because people may also walk together on a pilgrimage. The most important difference is: the procession is the solemn march itself, while the pilgrimage is the religious journey toward a destination.
Im Sommer macht die Gemeinde eine Wallfahrt zu einer kleinen Kirche in den Bergen.
In the summer, the congregation makes a pilgrimage to a small church in the mountains.
Am Feiertag zieht eine Prozession durch die Altstadt.
On the holiday, a procession moves through the old town.