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
Both words can describe a religious journey by many people to a chapel. Die Wallfahrt primarily refers to the journey to this holy place, while die Prozession emphasizes the solemn, orderly procession itself. Use Wallfahrt for the destination of the journey and Prozession for the manner of walking.
Die Gläubigen machten eine Wallfahrt zur Kapelle, um dort gemeinsam zu beten.
The worshippers went on a pilgrimage to the chapel to pray there together.
Die Gläubigen gingen in einer geordneten Reihe zur Kapelle, und die Prozession wurde von Musik begleitet.
The worshippers walked in an orderly line to the chapel, and the procession was accompanied by music.
