About the Camino
Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostela.
What is a Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage is a journey of faith. The word pilgrim is derived from the Latin peregrinus, which means "through the land." It's a journey to a predetermined destination and a departure from the routines of daily life to seek God, do penance, and give thanks. Unlike ordinary travel, a pilgrimage is defined by intention. The destination is holy, and the journey itself becomes a form of prayer, where every step and every hardship is offered up as an act of devotion.
The practice is ancient and woven through the whole of Christian history. From the earliest centuries, believers traveled to places sanctified by the life of Christ, the tombs of the Apostles, and the resting places of the saints and martyrs. Throughout the Middle Ages, pilgrimage flourished as one of the great expressions of faith, undertaken by kings and peasants alike. Three destinations have long stood above all others: the Holy Land, Rome, and the Camino de Santiago.
The El Camino de Santiago
About the Camino
The Camino de Santiago, the "Way of St. James", is a network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe, all converging on the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. The most traveled of these is the Camino Francés, or French Way, which begins in the Pyrenees and runs roughly 500 miles westward across northern Spain. This is the route I have chosen for my journey. For more than 1,200 years, pilgrims have walked this road on foot, marked by the scallop shell that has become the enduring symbol of the Way.
The tomb of Santiago Apostle
Its Catholic Roots
The Camino is, at its heart, a Catholic pilgrimage. It grew from the discovery in the ninth century of what are believed to be the remains of the Apostle James in the field that would give Compostela its name. The great Pilgrim Mass at Santiago's cathedral remains the spiritual climax of the journey. To walk the Camino is to enter into a living tradition of prayer, penance, and devotion carried unbroken across the centuries.
Apostle Saint James the Greater
Who was St. James?
St. James the Greater was one of Christ's twelve Apostles. He was a fisherman called by Jesus alongside his brother John while mending their nets. He belonged to Jesus's innermost circle, present at the Transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsemane. After Pentecost, James carried the Gospel to the Iberian Peninsula before returning to Jerusalem, where he was martyred by King Herod Agrippa around the year 44, becoming the first of the Apostles to give his life for the faith. Tradition holds that his followers brought his body back to Spain by sea, where it was laid to rest and, centuries later, rediscovered. The great cathedral of Santiago de Compostela was raised over his tomb, and it is to venerate this Apostle that pilgrims have walked the Camino ever since.
The Movie That Inspired Me
Prepped Hiking Gear
My Preparation
Preparation for the trip required physical training, quite a bit of logistics, and spiritual preparation. Since the start of the year, I've run every day to build up cardio and stamina. Although I haven't run consistently in years, it wasn't hard to ease back into a routine.
For logistics, I've had help from my amazing travel concierge, Patty Fasciotti, who booked all my lodgings, and ensured our luggage will be waiting at each night's stay. There are Camino groups I've followed on social media to help me learn from experienced pilgrims.
Spiritual Preparation
For spiritual preparation, I've read a book loaned to me by my good friend Terrance, named The Pilgrim Journey. It gives great insights into the history of the pilgrimage and how it has blossomed. I've also created a "to do" list to keep me on pace each day, including the rosary, prayer intentions, and liturgy of the hours. A big help has been the Hallow app. If you're not familiar with Hallow , be sure to check it out. It's the #1 app for Christians and Catholics. It's filled with prayers, music, and reflections. They offer a free 30 day trial.
