Pilgrimage often has an Odyssean itinerary: a journey to a holy site only to later return home. This mimics the Neoplatonic journey of the soul “returning” to the One. But Augustine’s peregrinus isn’t on a return journey; he is setting out, like Abraham, for a place he’s never been.
Christian is not just a pilgrim but a refugee, not just embarking on a pilgrimage but emigrating to find a refuge. Conversion is not the end of the journey but the placing on the right 'Way', with a map and a compass to finally find the way. Bu it's not just being set on the way by yourself, as an individual. No, you're joined to a big group of people, a caravan trail. But more than that, the host of your true home has even come to accompany you on the journey, so you won't be alone and you'll know that you'll get there.
