Long‐Distance Pilgrimage and the Counter Reformation in France: Sacred Journeys to the Mont Saint‐Michel 1520 to 1750

Long-distance pilgrimage to Mont-Saint-Michel in northern France played a significant role during the Counter Reformation (1520–1750), serving as both a spiritual and social challenge for pilgrims seeking deeper devotional experiences. This revival of ancient pilgrimage routes contributed to the spread of reformed Catholic values across northern France, emphasizing spiritual healing and intimacy with God alongside traditional requests for physical healing or thanksgiving. The study highlights how Mont-Saint-Michel's universal cult of St Michael, tied to the struggle against heresy and increasingly linked to Christ through the Eucharist, fueled its resurgence as a pilgrimage destination. Young men, in particular, undertook these journeys to prove their Catholic identity, while the pilgrimage itself became a vehicle for disseminating Counter Reformation ideals.

Tingle, E. (2016). Long‐Distance Pilgrimage and the Counter Reformation in France: Sacred Journeys to the Mont Saint‐Michel 1520 to 1750. Journal of Religious History, 41(2), 158–180. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9809.12385