Saints and pilgrimages: new and old
André Vauchez
The Middle Ages played an important role in the religious life of faithful, through cult rendered to martyrs and confessors. In parallel with changes conceptions sainthood, there was a significant shift both development idea sanctuary geographical distribution sanctuaries. Until Carolingian period, seem have been relatively few places that were considered holy by Christians West attracted large numbers pilgrims. Increased control over saints hierarchy accompanied process verification, hence definition, papacy on behalf Roman Church. modernisation sanctoral one principal manifestations this new attitude part church. Historians still debate reasons for explosion Marian final centuries Ages.
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