A shrine at Jerusalem would be more like that at Fatima in Portugal rather than El Camino, as it a place rather than a route. The shrine at Fatima, some 125km from Lisbon, is visited by four million pilgrims each year who come on foot, riding on a horse/donkey/ass, or in comfort by car and coach.
At Fatima, not only is there the shrine itself (complete with a smooth 100m-long path for the ultra-pious to approach it on their knees), but also a huge basilica, hotels, restaurants, shops and places for souvenirs of all sorts. It is BIG business.
Of course, a shrine at Jerusalem could never aspire to become anywhere as big as that but, even so, the infrastructure is woefully inadequate for what it might become.
That being the case, what is needed to support the anticipated flow of pilgrims? Getting there comes immediately to mind.
Fortunately, there is a huge amount of money being spent on upgrading the River Rd -- I sometimes joke that the roading authorities have had divine instructions to improve it for the pilgrims to travel along.
Sooner or later, for those travelling by shanks's pony, a footpath must also be provided as road and pedestrian traffic are mutually incompatible.
Jerusalem is too far from either Whanganui or the central mountains for it to be a one-day hike, so accommodation will be needed en route.
If there were accommodation at Parikino and at Koriniti, this would serve for those heading north. Those coming from the north would need to stay at Pipiriki and Raetihi where additional accommodation will be needed.
The River Rd is part of the Mountains to the Sea cycleway and a shrine at Jerusalem would be an added attraction for those making their way around the country on their bicycles. Even the riverboat service could be revived to bring pilgrims.
Jerusalem would need a huge makeover, as pilgrims will be coming for spiritual nourishment and this requires the presence of clergy and their supporting staff.
For their physical needs, they will need accommodation and food. So an hotel, hostel, camping ground, restaurants, food outlets, shops and toilet facilities must be provided.
Very importantly, there must be a souvenir shop (or shops), since there will be a high demand for memorabilia of Mother Aubert, Jerusalem and St Joseph's Church. The range of souvenirs would include pictures, statues, models, and items like teaspoons, plates, mugs, key rings, postcards, pictures etc -- the list goes on and on.
There would also be jobs galore to service the needs of the pilgrims, and there will be a need for appropriate signage to tell the story of Mother Aubert and about significant places along the road.
If they haven't already done so, it is not too early for the church, iwi and the regional and district authorities to get together to consider what will be needed if and when sainthood is bestowed on Mother Aubert.
Otherwise, they will be caught unprepared for the flood of pilgrims when it happens.
�Jim Parnell is a retired professional engineer, an amateur Whanganui River historian, a canoeist, and is editor of the Friends of the Whanganui River Annual
