I do not expect anyone to emulate the pilgrim antics of Fulk Nerra, count of Anjou. When he visited Jerusalem back in 1039 he had his servants drag him through the city with a halter around his neck.
The Hungarian George Grissaphan is, likewise, an unreliable role model for the 21st century. After travelling all the way to Ireland in 1353, he spent five days enduring a ritual death, lying on a bier and covered with black cloth, while priests chanted requiem Masses.
What I do suggest, however, is that the penitential aspect of pilgrimage is as crucial as it has always been, even if we can safely jettison the more extravagant bygone deeds. We hear a lot these days about pilgrims wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life or longing to spend time with like-minded folk. We hear less and less about penance.
