About our adventure
What is the
camino de santiago?
The Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) is a large network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the tomb of St. James (Santiago in Spanish)in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain.
The Camino de Santiago has existed for over 1000 years, and it dates back to the 9th Century when the remains of St James the Apostle were first discovered in Northern Spain. It is believed that St James preached the Gospel in present day Galicia and on return to Jerusalem he was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa in 44AD. His followers are said to have transported his remains to Northern Galicia where they lay undiscovered until 813. The discovery of his remains in the 9th Century led to the creation of a religious shrine which marks the beginning of Santiago de Compostela and the Camino de Santiago.
Why?
We get asked this question all the time.
I first heard about the Camino de Santiago about 8 years ago when I watched the 2010 film, The Way with Martin Sheen. The idea of a 500 mile walking pilgrimage never crossed my mind before. Anthony and I have previously been on 2 pilgrimages – one to Medjugorje in Bosnia & Herzegovina and one to Mexico City. Both of those involved airplanes and buses and while they were spiritually impactful, they were also busy days filled with a lot of activity and people. The idea of days filled with time for quiet contemplation and prayer while enjoying the beauty of Spain was really appealing.
We talked about it for a full 8 years. Then our friend, Danny, came back from his Camino and shared his journey with us and we were hooked. We set a date and started making arrangements.
The route in the movie, The Way, is the Camino Frances which is the most popular and most heavily traveled route. Our desire for a more quiet pilgrimage led us to the decision to bicycle part of the Camino del Norte along the northern coast and then drop down to the Camino Primitivo where we will walk to Santiago de Compostela from there. It will be a total of 500 miles and will take us about 5 weeks to complete.
We will spend time in Barcelona first and then will make a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France before starting our Camino. We arrive in Santiago 5 weeks later and then will then end our Camino with a pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal. Our trip to Spain in September and October ends with Seville, Toledo and Madrid before heading home.
Pilgrims prayer
Oh, God, who brought your servant Abraham out of the land of the Chaldeans, protecting him in his wanderings, who guided the Hebrew people across the desert, we ask that you watch over us, your servants, as we walk in the love of your name to Santiago de Compostela.
Be for us our companion on the walk,
Our guide at the crossroads,
Our breath in our weariness,
Our protection in danger,
Our albergue on the Camino,
Our shade in the heat,
Our light in the darkness,
Our consolation in our discouragements,
And our strength in our intentions.
So that with your guidance we may arrive, safe and sound, at the end of the Road and, enriched with grace and virtue, we may return safely to our homes filled with joy.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Apostle Santiago, pray for us.
Santa Maria, pray for us.