Polish Catholic Shrines and Their Visitors: Application of Frame Analysis and Analysis of Metaphors
This article discusses results of empirical research conducted in selected Catholic shrines in Poland (Gietrzwałd, Jasna Góra, Licheń, Kraków-Łagiewniki, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, Niepokalanów, Święta Lipka, Piekary Śląskie and Wiktorówki). During the field research I collected various qualitative and quantitative data related to the phenomenon of sanctuary space and its popularity among visitors in contemporary Polish society. I was investigating various symbolic actions, interactions and processes that were performed by pilgrims and tourists visiting the shrines. Analytical tools I use for interpretation of field research data include: frame analysis (of an act of visiting a place of worship), and an analysis of metaphors (which were used by interviewees in their descriptions of shrines and their descriptions of experiences within sanctuaries’ spaces).
