Resource Type: Lesson plans

From the critically acclaimed BBC Two and iPlayer series Pilgrimage follows well known personalities of differing faiths and beliefs on a personal journey of discovery as they tackle some of the most famous walking routes across the UK and Europe. In this series the Pilgrims go to Austria in Pilgrimage The Road Through the Alps.

Harry calls Nelufar a “rule breaker” and asks her why she’s still a Muslim. Nelufar describes what it means – to her – to be a modern Muslim.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0029kxg/pilgrimage-the-road-through-the-alps-episode-2?seriesId=b09w7lc0-structural-4-m0029kxc

Transcript

Pilgrimage Moments: A Modern day Muslim

Harry: You seem a bit like a rule breaker. So how do you overcome that in your faith? And essentially, why do you still believe in your God and why are you still Muslim?

Nelufar: I've learned that the rules of my faith do not make a good Muslim because I'm rebellious, because I've chosen to modernise the faith. My faith lives on, and the only way that I can really do that is sometimes by bending, if not breaking the rules a little bit Harry so.

Harry: Well, I'm like you, just in a different faith, so that's why I asked. That's why I said.

Nelufar: The point is, Harry, that I make decisions for myself. You know, I've got a white atheist husband. You know, I'm a feminist. I'll go to the beach. I'll go for a swim. I don't wear the hijab, but no one can tell me I'm not a muslim because I tell me I'm a muslim.

Harry: So would you say you're damned by now? And how do you. How do you bear that?

Nelufar: Never shy away from asking the hardest questions on earth. Yeah, you keep cracking on. Am I damned? Yeah, I think so. But I don't know if I believe in the version of the God that would damn me for living the life that I pick.

Pilgrimage Moments: A Modern Day Muslim 

Video length - 01.39

Published date - May 2025

Keystage(s) - 3 and 4

Nelufar talks with the Pilgrims about her discomfort that so many terrible things have been done in the name of religion.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0029kxd/pilgrimage-the-road-through-the-alps-episode-1

Transcript

Pilgrimage Moments: In the Name of Faith

Nelufar: I often feel in conflict with my faith, so I. I don't know how to fit in and it kills me like it really bothers me inside. So I just, I think, I don't mean to be cynical and I am loving this dinner. I really, really am.

Helen: What's your thing? That's the thing.

Nelufar: On this table sits the Abrahamic faiths. Those of us who believe in them and those of us who don't. We have fought wars. We have killed. We have maimed. We have done terrible things to one another in the name of faith. And so I feel that I carry that for what's done in my name and in the the name of my faith. I feel like I carry that. I feel responsible for it.

Daliso: I have a question. Do you feel these terrible things done in the name of faith? Were the intention of the faith or perversion of the faith?

Nelufar: I don't think it matters.

Daliso: Do you think Christ is a fan of people killing in his name? Do you think Muhammad is a fan of people killing his name? My point is, I think it's humans get this beautiful thing, which is faith, which is messages of love. But we're still humans, and there's still politics, and they're still wanting to conquer each other.

Nelufar: Jeff has no faith. He has messages of tolerance. Faith doesn't determine that. Right? And sometimes.

Daliso: That's not what I said either.

Nelufar: I know but.

Daliso: I would say.

Nelufar: I'm getting really anxious now.

Daliso: Do you think? Which is fine. We go to all the emotions.

Jeff: We're all in this together. Don't worry.

Daliso: We can go to. We can go to Joy. We can go to discomfort.

Nelufar: My point is how can any of us not feel as though terrible things have been done in our name? Look that's the point is, it's not the vibe for dinner.

Stef: Actually, it does hurt when I hear you say, talk about Christian faith and the awful things that have been done because awful things have been done. But I don't think that that is because of Jesus. Because if you look at that message, his message was love. And we have perverted that. And part of the Christian faith is actually that people are broken. Every single one of us is broken. And I just think so many of these messages have been twisted by us. And actually, it's about getting back to what did these texts say?

Pilgrimage Moments: In the Name of Faith

Video length - 02.41

Published date - May 2025

Keystage(s) - 3 and 4

Tom and Spencer join Sonali on a day’s fast to mark the Jain festival of Paryushana.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001vvdq/pilgrimage-the-road-through-north-wales-episode-3?seriesId=b09w7lc0-structural-3-m001vvdk

Transcript

Pilgrimage Moments: The Day of the Fast Transcript

Narrator: Last night, Tom and Spencer decided to join Sonali on a fast.

Sonali: It's really sludgy here.

Narrator: To mark Paryushana the holiest eight days in the Jain calendar.

Spencer: So we're fasting hey? You know how much longer we've got left? What is it, like, eight hours? Not that I'm counting, but seven hours, 52 minutes, 33 seconds. I just think we're more likely to have an enlightened experience if we're starving in inverted commas, you know, because it will be going through pain. Oh, these little bramble bushes are nice, aren't they?

Tom: Oh, I love getting bramble bushes on my legs, actually.

Spencer: Yes.

Tom: It's a wonderful feeling.

Spencer: What's this thing?

Tom: It's something isn't it? There's definitely something, Spencer. Seems like we are nearing the top.

Christine: Oh, wow.

Narrator: The pilgrims have reached the ruins of an abandoned farming settlement.

Spencer: Pilgrims. We have arrived at the Church of Saint Matthew's. Now gather round and we shall enjoy some lunch together. But not us, Tom. No. Not us.

Tom: No. This seems like a great place to stop and not to have lunch.

Michaela: Just you and me, Amanda.

Sonali: I'm feeling really good today. Feel lighter.

Eshaan: Exactly.

Sonali: Yeah. There's something exhilarating about not feeling sluggish and then doing this kind of climb.

Eshaan: Yeah.

Tom: Yeah, it's more pleasant.

Eshaan: I'm skipping lunch after having after having had three Weetabix, one Croissant and one Pain au Chocolat and a coffee.

Tom: I respect your discipline.

Eshaan: I just think it's the least I can do.

Spencer: It's quite a strong feeling that I'm having towards it. Like I like I feel changed a little bit from it and I'm like, I haven't even done it yet.

Eshaan: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Spencer: Just the idea of it. Let's go burn some calories just to make this easier.

Narrator: The end of their day's walk gives the group a chance to catch up with the fasting pilgrims.

Tom: I definitely do think on the walk. It did help to be fasted.

Eshaan: Really why?

Tom: I felt it was much easier to get into a flow state, like when I was just walking by myself. It was literally like five seconds, and then I felt like I was connected to nature and just like, very present in all of my steps. Um, when I'm talking to you guys, it completely ruined it.

Spencer: Yeah.

Sonali: I was a little taken aback that both Spencer and Tom wanted to join, but actually, having got to know them over the last week, they're sort of want to get as much, I think, out of this pilgrimage as possible.

Tom: We are learning off of each other. Um, so the opportunity to participate in a festival of Somalis culture was one that I didn't want to miss really. I am hungry. I don't want to do it for 36 hours or whatever, but, uh, yeah, I've got a lot out of it.

Pilgrimage Moments: The Day of the Fast

Video length - 03.16

Published date - May 2025

Keystage(s) - 3 and 4

Sonali leads a discussion about forgiveness with the Pilgrims, starting with the Jain festival of Paryushana, ending with Spencer talking about his brother who died on Everest.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001vvdn/pilgrimage-the-road-through-north-wales-episode-2?seriesId=b09w7lc0-structural-3-m001vvdk

Transcript

Pilgrimage Moments: The Art of Forgiveness Transcript

Amanda: Look at this, he's laid this table and everything for us. He's so lovely.

Spencer: Did Eshaan do all this? What a legend.

Eshaan: Right then Pilgrims.

Eshaan: That's very kind. But you've got to taste it first.

Sonali: And then we can give compliments to the chef.

Amanda: 100% on presentation.

Spencer: Mashallah.

Eshaan: Thank you. Brother. Thank you very much. Well, um, thank you to whatever it is you believe in for bringing us all together and giving us the opportunity to experience nature in all its glory, and for giving me the time, ability and space to be able to cook and feed my fellow pilgrims. Because feeding people is the way I show love. So if nothing else, even if you don't like the food, you at least know that I love you.

Eshaan: Thank you.

Eshaan: Enjoy. Enjoy the meal.

Sonali: Eshaan. Thank you. This means even more for me because it is the eve of the holiest eight days in the Jain calendar.

Spencer: Oh, really?

Sonali: Tonight, so as of tomorrow, lots of Jains around the world will fast. Some of them even for eight days. Right. No food. I've never attempted the full eight days. I've not even. I've never gone over one day because it's not something that I want to do. Right. It's called Kshamavani . It's the festival of forgiveness. And what we say to each other is anytime you see anyone, you know, it's been part of your life over the last year, you say Micchami Dukkadam, which means please forgive me for anything that I may have said to you that offended you. Yeah. You know, on purpose, accidentally and all of that.

Tom: I think if you don't mind, seeing as we're getting in these, you know, thin spaces in these spiritual head spaces which I have been in like a few times during this pilgrimage, I would like to use this opportunity to have one day fast tomorrow.

Spencer: I'll do 24 hours with you.

Eshaan: I'm also happy to try.

Spencer: For Jains, 24 hours is nothing. And it's a little show of solidarity. Solidarity for Jains. And we should do it.

Tom: What is it to say? Forgive me for anything that I've done.

Sonali: Micchami Dukkadam,

Tom: Micchami Dukkadam,

Sonali: Which again.

Tom: Micchami Dukkadam,

Spencer: There's a big, um, theme of forgiveness through lots of the stuff that you said around Jainism in particular. Is that a really common theme through most religion, or is it specifically to Jain?

Sonali: My understanding is it's part of a lot of religions. People always say, you cannot move on if you don't forgive. It's the greatest form of love, you know. Has any good come out of someone not forgiving someone?

Eshaan: I've not forgiven God for what happened to my mum. She died very unexpectedly in the space of a week.

Spencer: I find it really interesting that you would blame Allah for taking your mother.

Eshaan: It's not so much that I blamed God. It's just that I knew my mum believed.

Spencer: Yeah.

Eshaan: And I was told my whole life. God decides, God gets involved. God decides your fate. And when I get criticised by other Muslims, as I often do because of my comedy, those critics. Whenever they come at me, I always think to myself, you know, you're so fervent in this belief. The moment my mum took her last breath, there was this being that my mum also believed in. Made the decision, according to your scripture, to take my mum away from me. And for me it was like, who is he to decide that? So I know I haven't let go of that. And I know a lot about Islam, and there's a lot about Islamic philosophy that I'm quite proud of and I think is beautiful and wonderful and I, I share with you, Alhamdulillah, all this stuff, you know, I'll share with you guys, but I will never, ever there will never be a time in my life where I will ever be a practising Muslim.

Spencer: I personally don't feel that it needs to be literal forgiveness, like sitting down with someone and go you are forgiven. You know, like my brother's death, my parents and my other older brother knew that. You know, climbing Everest was a dangerous thing, particularly in 1999. Um, we were originally told that Mike was kind of lost on the mountain, and as a family, we treated his death, just as you would. Um, it was only kind of weeks later that we heard that there were some very serious issues with oxygen on the mountain. We thought for a very long time that it essentially was negligence. And it's very difficult to to prove any of that. But it's what we were hearing and it was a difficult thing to grow up with. I hated those people. Like I grew up hating those people, and I would I would get drunk when I was young and I would go into these holes of, like, wanting to harm these people. Yeah. Um, and I don't get that at all anymore. I don't necessarily forgive them, but I have let it go. Yeah. You know, there's no point in feeling the pain and the agony of the death 25 years after it's happened. I just realised that ultimately, harboring any kind of negative energy towards these people was was a waste of my time. I felt, you know, I've certainly tried to use Mike's death as a driver for good in my life. And, you know, I, I pray to him from time to time and kind of feel like he's a good presence in my life. Instead of feeling sad about him not being with me or wondering what could have been all the time.

Eshaan: If you don't, if you don't mind me asking. You don't have to answer the question if you don't want to. What do you think Mike would say to you now if you saw the man you become?

Spencer: Mike would love my kids. Mike would love my kids. And he would love my wife and like. And that's. I think he'd be delighted for me in that regard.

Eshaan: He'd also love you. I mean, the fact that he was on Everest doing something so extreme. And the few days that I've known you, you are 100% his brother. You are a chip off the old block. Yeah, I've already messaged my friends about you and said, you know, it's so great to have someone like Spencer in my life because you inspire me. Do you know what I mean?

Spencer: That's very kind, he inspired me, so.

Eshaan: Yeah. So there you go. He's just passing down.

Sonali: Michael's here with us.

Spencer: Yeah, that's very kind of you. Thank you.

Pilgrimage Moments: The Art of Forgiveness

Video length - 06.10

Published date - May 2025

Keystage(s) - 3 and 4

In this Pilgrimage Moment, Spencer and Eshaan discuss whether or not St Winefride and Jesus Christ were real.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001vvdl/pilgrimage-the-road-through-north-wales-episode-1

Transcript

Pilgrimage Moments: Fact or Fiction?

Spencer: The Winifred story dates 630 A.D, yeah?

Eshaan: Right. Yeah.

Spencer: So 630 years after Christ. Like when? At what point does, um, fiction blend to turn to actual history? Like, do you know what I mean?

Eshaan: Winifred existed. From what I understand, Winifred existed. Like, she's a real woman, irrespective of the story.

Spencer: Winifred was a real person?

Eshaan: A real person, a real person from a noble family, probably quite well-educated. There's evidence to prove that.

Spencer: Okay. So? So I thought, like, Winifred was a kind of.

Eshaan: Just a character.

Spencer: Well, I wasn't sure. Right? Yeah, yeah. So. But the person the Saint Winifred existed?

Eshaan: Existed.

Spencer: Okay. Okay. So okay. That does that does make a difference to me because I have been sat here thinking that, you know, this is all Cinderella mounds type thing.

Eshaan: So you thought this was a bit like a Winifred theme park, a bit like Harry Potter Park or something?

Spencer: Yeah, yeah. Yeah, basically. Well, no, I'm just wondering when things became more, um, real.

Eshaan: Perhaps when the people were able to document these things, when you were able to start beginning to document.

Spencer: So, like, Jesus Christ definitely existed?

Eshaan: Yeah.

Spencer: I thought he could have been made up as well.

Spencer: That's not disputed. So I didn't realise that. So I thought Jesus Christ was either something that you believe in or you don't. But I, I kind of thought he was fictitious.

Eshaan: Yeah. No, no, no.

Eshaan: He's a real person.

Spencer: I honestly feel like this is a big deal.

Eshaan: Yeah, I can see it in your eyes.

Spencer: Yeah, yeah. No, it is like I've not. I have kind of likened religion to, to to just fairytales before.

Eshaan: Yeah yeah of course.

Spencer: Because it's kind of like well they're great stories. Yeah. People. And they transcend time because they're such good stories. Yeah. But like the fact that some of the I was about to say, key players when Jesus Christ was a bit more than the key player I think.

Eshaan: Muslims think he's the vice captain. Yeah, they think Muhammed is the captain and Jesus is the vice captain. That's what they believe.

Spencer: Muhammed is Allah is he?

Eshaan: No.

Spencer: Who is Muhammed?

Eshaan: Muhammed is the prophet.

Eshaan: He's the prophet of God.

Spencer: I think. Let's not.

Eshaan: There's too much.

Spencer: It's too much for my kind of medium sized mind in this moment.

Eshaan: Yeah to take in.

Spencer: But I'm. I'm far more into Winifred now that I know she was real.

Amanda: So you're all excited that you found out that Jesus was a real person Spencer?

Spencer: Yeah. Yeah, honestly. Honestly I kind of feel a bit stupid but yeah yeah, it's changed a lot. I did. Yeah.

Amanda: No, he was here. He was on this earth.

Spencer: Real dude!

Amanda: Yeah, he's a real dude.

Christine: But is there like photographic evidence?

Eshaan: There weren't photographs.

Christine: See is there any evidence at all?

Amanda: Yeah, it's all it's all scriptured.

Pilgrimage Moments: Fact or Fiction?

Video length - 03.15

Published date - May 2025

Keystage(s) - 3 and 4

In this Pilgrimage Moment, the Pilgrims visit St Winefride’s Well and find out about the story of St Winefride.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001vvdl/pilgrimage-the-road-through-north-wales-episode-1

Transcript

Pilgrimage Moments: St Winefried’s Well

Narrator: The pilgrims arrive at Saint Winifred's well. It's known by some as the Lords of Wales.

Amanda: This is exciting.

Spencer: It's very. It's very beautiful.

Narrator: The well has been a Christian pilgrim destination since the eighth century, and these days has around 30,000 visitors a year. The precinct covering the well dates back to 1500.

Spencer: Oh, wow.

Narrator: But the spring water has always been known for its healing properties.

Michaela: Oh, look at this. Look at this.

Sonali: Roman baths vibes.

Amanda: Absolutely.

Michaela: So this is the source. Oh, wow.

Amanda: It's amazing.

Michaela: So Winnifred was the daughter of a local prince. In around 630 A.D she was visiting the original church that once stood here when Caradoc, a local chieftain, attempted to seduce her. Having recently taken a vow of celibacy. She rejected his advances, sending him into a blind rage.

Eshaan: Oh, no. Men.

Spencer: Honestly.

Michaela: She ran from him towards the church and her uncle Beuno, but the thwarted lover pursued her and chopped off her head.

Eshaan: What?

Michaela: In the place where her head fell. A spring of water suddenly appeared. Which is this.

Eshaan: What's this here?

Michaela: It was at this point that her Uncle Beuno allegedly took up her head, placed it back on her body. He then prayed and brought her back to life. So that's a real miracle story.

Amanda: It is. Yeah.

Michaela: Are you going?

Spencer: Yeah.

Michaela: It's flipping cold.

Narrator: The spring water is icy cold.

Michaela: That's fresh.

Spencer: This is lovely.

Narrator: For those seeking a cure. Certain traditions have persisted over time.

Spencer: Three laps of the pool.

Amanda: That is for the healing isn't it?

Narrator: Like walking around the pool three times. Or total immersion three times.

Sonali: One more.

Amanda: Well done!

Pilgrimage Moments: St Winefride’s Well

Video length - 02.57

Published date - May 2025

Keystage(s) - 3 and 4

One Life, Live it Well, featuring Alice Roberts, explores the humanist approach to living a fulfilling life. Comparing our lives to a piece of string, with a beginning and an end, this short animation emphasises the ways non-religious people might shape what lies in between and find happiness and meaning in their lives. Highlighting the arts, science, health, relationships, and human rights as the ingredients of a good life, it explores the importance humanists place on freedom, responsibility, and connections, and how they believe we might live life to the fullest and leave something behind after we are gone.

https://understandinghumanism.org.uk/

One Life, Live it Well

Video length - 02.36

Published date - Jul 2024

Keystage(s) - 3 and 4

Downloadable resources

A short film following the experiences of two young women’s neurodivergence (Autism and ADHD) and the difficulties they encountered in the education system as they journeyed to understand themselves. This documentary highlights the issues surrounding diagnosis for women and girls in the UK and was created in partnership with the BFI during the BFI documentary residential 2024.

Transcript

Not So Typical

Ruby: As a kid, I didn't really realise that I thought differently and I felt differently. I just felt like a bit of an outsider at times, and I felt like I didn't fully have control in how I was behaving and how I was feeling as much as other people did.

Eva: I had so many friendship issues in school. Um, primary school and secondary school specifically because I wasn't diagnosed, I ended up calling myself a nomad friend. I would move from group to group. I actually struggled really badly with bullying. That period of my life of just being like, I can't change who I am and you're bullying me for it. I got really upset.

Ruby: I remember always feeling like I couldn't settle into a group in school. I got bullied quite badly through like year 7 to year 9 and that was all surrounding, like how I was like, and I never really fully understood it. But people were just always like, you're too much like you're too loud. You're too intense. If I didn't do my homework, it was because I was lazy or my attendance was really low because I couldn't be bothered to come into school kind of thing. Whereas there was actually like an issue that was going on that was just completely undetected. I was diagnosed with ADHD at 17 years old. I think when it came to getting my diagnosis, it took quite a long time. There's always waiting lists. I started looking into getting the diagnosis at around 15, and I didn't actually get my formal diagnosis and assessment until I was 17.

Eva: I was diagnosed with autism when I was 16, a month before my 17th birthday. My brother's diagnosis was the spurring point of mine. Girls are diagnosed later than boys, especially with autism and a lot of medical conditions. When they first did the research on the topic, they only did it on white boys. They only use them as their subject, and so their symptoms, in a way, are the ones that they look for.

Ruby: I actually don't really know how I got through school with it being undetected by teachers, because I think, to be honest, like when I look back, I was quite textbook ADHD. I am someone that can't sit still. I've always been fidgety. There's a lot of issues with concentration. I've just felt very misunderstood at school and feel like when you're not made for the society that we live in, you are isolated within such a massive group of people and it can feel like so detrimental to like your mental health. When I think about it, it makes me feel really sorry for that girl, because at the time I was only like, you know, 14, 15 and when you feel like you don't fit into like society, like society was not built for you, you like, you have no other place to go.

Eva: Primary school. I used to cry in a corner when I was overwhelmed, and it was a corner because no one could come behind me. I was safe, no one could touch me. I was there, but it was a lot of almost loneliness. At secondary school I just hated the noise. It was always really loud and so I liked to sit outside, even if it was raining, because it's not noisy outside.

Ruby: When I actually got my diagnosis. I remember speaking to my mother was being like, it's crazy that that was never suggested to us. I got tested for bipolar, I got tested for all sorts of things, but they never even thought about it.

Eva: I find with a lot of people I've spoken to, they're like, oh, they said I had borderline personality disorder. They said I had bipolar. Um, and they get all these misdiagnoses because everything had been done for men. Why aren't we talking about something that half the population of the world goes through or will go through in their life?

Ruby: I think when it comes to women, there is a lot of issues when it comes to getting diagnosed because women's ADHD can manifest in such a different way. I think because women in general kind of have to put on a facade anyway. We're used to performing. That's constantly what I've been doing my whole life. When I was a child, I was always told I was bossy. So then I think I then internalised that and I was like, I can't be that because people don't like bossy women. So yeah, I definitely tried to be something I wasn't, but then that made it so that I was just struggling inside. Whereas now, like I viewed the world just completely differently after I got my diagnosis.

Eva: My diagnosis did empower me. It kind of gave me a reason, and with a reason I could go about doing the things I wanted to do. It definitely gave me freedom, and I feel like I found empowerment in the freedom.

Ruby: I'm so much healthier with my mind. I'll take up however much space I need.

Not So Typical

Video length - 06.03

Published date - Apr 2024

Keystage(s) - 3 and 4

Downloadable resources

This clip comes from the BBC series: Pilgrimage – The Road Through Portugal.

The Pilgrims reach the end of their long journey in the city of Fatima, one of the world’s largest Catholic pilgrimage sites. They go straight to the famous Sanctuary which was built and developed over nine decades on the field where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three shepherd children. Dominating the square is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, finished in 1953.

Su and Vicky visit the Chapel of the Apparitions, built on the very spot where the shepherd children said the Virgin Mary appeared. Here they are moved to see devout believers approach the chapel on their knees, praying for favours or fulfilling promises to the Virgin Mary.

Watch full episodes on BBC iPlayer.

Transcript

Pilgrimage Moments: Arriving at the Fatima Sanctuary

Rita: We're here. Look, guys, this is it. Oh, no. It's all we've got here. We did it! Flipping heck!

Narrator: Once a small rural village, Fatima is now a thriving city. At its center is the famous sanctuary. Covering a huge area. The sanctuary was built and developed over nine decades on the field, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to the three shepherd children. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It's one of the world's largest Catholic pilgrimage sites. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. Finished in 1953, dominates the square. And it's here. The pilgrims will join a crowd of tens of thousands for the candlelight procession tomorrow evening.

Rita: Oh, this obviously takes thousands of people. Yeah.

Shane: A big old gap. Oh.

Rita: Well, I didn't know it'd be as big as this. It's magnificent. Look at it. Can you believe tomorrow night this is going to be chocker full of people? Yeah, I mean, this is really quite something else. Well done. Well done. We've done it. Well done.

Shane: Good job.

Narrator: In the middle of the square in front of the basilica is the chapel of the apparitions. Originally a small wooden chapel built in 1919 on the spot where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared. It's now the heart and most sacred space of the sanctuary. As Sue and Vicki explore. Their attention is drawn by believers taking a path on their knees to the chapel, praying for a favour or to fulfill the promise to the Virgin Mary.

Rita: I don't know how they managed it.

Vicky: What are you saying Sue?

Rita: That lady in the red, they're on their knees. And the guy there look because they're so devout. Oh, you're not being funny. The agony of it. No, no no no.

Vicky: Can you see she's doing her rosary as she goes?

Rita: Gordon Bennett, you'd be nearly dead, wouldn't you? The pain of it. And I suppose.

Vicky: That's a part of it, you know, to show how dedicated they are. Their devotion.

Rita: Yes, I think it's fantastic. This will live in the memory, seeing all these devout people walking on their knees. Whether you agree with it or not, it's quite, um, moving. Really?

Bobby: It's a view, isn't it? That is a view. And the way the light is actually just shining on the basilica? Yeah. Absolutely gorgeous. The thing is.

Vicky: It's it's like. I feel like it's more than just the visuals, but you could feel that there's something special here.

Pilgrimage Moments: Arriving at the Fatima Sanctuary

Video length - 03.33

Published date - Mar 2024

Keystage(s) - 3 and 4

Downloadable resources

This clip comes from the BBC series: Pilgrimage – The Road Through Portugal.

The Pilgrims visit the Carmelite convent where Lucia – one of the children who witnessed the miracle at Fatima – eventually lived as a nun until she died in 2005.

Bobby helps the Pilgrims to delve deeper into Sister Lucia’s story, and they meet Sister Anna Sophia, a Carmelite nun who had the privilege of knowing Sister Lucia in the final years of her life. She paints a vivid picture of Sister Lucia’s character, describing her as joyous, humble, and deeply humane.

However, Pentecostal Christian Shane finds it challenging to connect with Sister Anna Sophia’s account due to his belief that people should be free to pray directly to God without intermediary figures.

Watch full episodes on BBC iPlayer.

Transcript

Pilgrimage Moments: Visiting the convent of Sister Lucia

Bobby: We love our hills now, don't we now. We do love a good hill.

Sue: A hill and a good start.

Narrator: Sue, Vicky, Millie, Shane and Bobby are going to a convent with an extraordinary connection to the sanctuary at Fatima.

Bobby: So I think direction wise we are heading. So going up there but there will be a reward. This is the convent that Sister Lucia joined.

Narrator: Sister Lucia was one of three shepherd children from Fatima, who in 1917 reported seeing apparitions of the Virgin Mary who told them to pray the Rosary to bring peace to the world and end the Great War. Lucia's cousins Francisco and Jacinta died of the Spanish flu aged only ten and nine. Lucia dedicated herself to a religious life. She became a nun in 1926 and lived at the convent in Coimbra until she died in her 90s.

Millie: When did she pass away? I think 2005.

Bobby: 2005 on 15th February. It became a national day of mourning. Oh, really? Portugal, she's like a mega, mega star.

Vicky: Is it still a convent with practicing nuns and that?

Bobby: It is. Yeah.

Vicky: This is amazing. I've actually ever met a nun. The closest I've got is I watched Sister Act. Oh, it's very nice.

Narrator: The pilgrims make their way up to the Saint Teresa convent, which was Sister Lucia's home for 57 years.

Sue: Look at this. Oh, look at it.

Millie: What's he looking at?

Sue: But there's a really big statue of Lucia. Oh it's of Lucia.

Bobby: Yeah, we can see she went up to 98, so she.

Vicky: Did nearly 100. I tell you, she had a good innings.

Sue: Are we allowed to go up and look?

Vicky: Yeah, let's have a look. For some reason, I didn't picture her with glasses.

Sue: Oh, wow. I could be her sister. Look.

Bobby: Hello.

Sue: You look. She looks lovely.

Millie: Yeah.

Sue: 98. Fabulous.

Narrator: It's a cloistered Carmelite convent, which means the nuns have very little contact with the outside world. Hello. Once the pilgrims have been let in. Bobby, the only Catholic in the group, shares what he knows about the story.

Bobby: Obviously, we have Lucia there. Yeah, after she joined the convent. Yeah. Dedicated her life to Virgin Mary. And then here we have a younger cousins, Francisco and Jacinta, dressed in this sort of traditional Portuguese. Can you see what he's got in his hand? It looks like a crutch. I think it's a shepherd's stick.

Millie: Mhm.

Sue: No, they were the ones that died. Weren't they?

Bobby: The cousins. Yes. It is sort of surreal to think our whole pilgrimage together, our journey, meeting all these people is all because of her and their cousins, their visions and how the story spread.

Sue: But you know what I meant to ask you. Is there any documented evidence that they constantly were ridiculed by everybody else, saying they made it up? It's fantasy even.

Bobby: Yeah. Even Lucia's mother.

Millie: Yeah.

Bobby: Um, beat her, saying rescind these visions that you had.

Millie: But she didn't believe them. Yeah.

Bobby: The mothers, they stopped making up these.

Sue: Well, you see, it's so farfetched. It's like that term, you know. What about the fairies at the bottom of the garden?

Narrator: As Carmelites. The sisters can only speak two hours a day. But the pilgrims have been given special permission to meet a nun who knew Lucia during the last ten years of her life. Sister Ana Sofia. Hello.

Nun: Welcome, welcome.

Millie: I'm sorry for my ignorance, but what are the bars for?

Nun: Yeah. Okay.

Sue: Like us pilgrims when we're walking. No luxury, no nothing. Yes, it's the same.

Nun: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Bobby: What was Sister Lucia like when you met her?

Bobby: When Lucia had the apparitions as a child, Lucia's mother didn't believe and said, oh, Lucia tell everyone it didn't happen. What do you think about that?

Sue: Yes that's true.

Vicky: It's lovely to hear about from someone who actually met her. I feel like that's. Yeah, that's pretty impressive. You're amazing. Fantastic.

Sue: Thank you. Thank you very much.

Nun: Thank you. God bless you.

Sue: Thank you very much.

Nun: Have a nice travel.

Millie: Yes, yes. God bless you.

Nun: You pray for you. Thank you.

Sue: Thank you so much. She was so good. That lady I mean terrific. I mean her answers and everything. She was.

Millie: Really nice.

Narrator: As a Pentecostal born again Christian sister Ana Sofia's account didn't resonate with Shane.

Shane: The story was very interesting up until a point. Then it was like, I get what's going on here. I believe the, the, the intent is, is there, and the prayers and the praying for the people. And it's all very, very real. And they certainly believe it. But it's almost those prayers have no authority because they haven't a direct line to God. They're still going. They're still worshiping technically false idols, which is the only person meant to be worshiped as God himself. Not Mary, not Lucia, not Luke anything. The true route is direct to God, and anything that gets in the way is getting in your way.