Santiago de Compostela (Saint James, in Galicia, Spain)

The Way of Saint James (or the ways, as there are several) - El Camiño de Santiago - is one of the oldest pilgrimage routes in Christianity. It ends at the Cathedral of Saint James in Galicia, Spain, where the relics of Saint James the Greater, the apostle of Christ responsible for taking the Gospel to Western Europe, are venerated.

 

Some of my work colleagues have been doing the "Portuguese Way" for months, which started at the Porto Cathedral, in Portugal, a few months ago, having covered a stage of around 30km every month, normaly one satuarday every month. As I had a few Saturdays busy with work at my house, I was unfortunately unable to participate. But I always said I would join the group when they reached the border. So today I did my first stage from the Portuguese town of Valença, next to the Spanish border, to the village of Mos, in the municipality of Pontevedra, Spain, having covered 28kms on foot. I loved it!



Valença (Portugal):


Mos (Spain):

 

Today it was really hot. Outside the woods, the sun burned the skin.

 

I met a group of pilgrims from California and walked with them for several miles, while I talked to their friendly parish priest about the state of the Church and the world... Most of them were quite old so they walked quite slowly, the which made me 2 or 3 miles behind my group. I left the Americans in the city of Porriño where they would be staying and walked alone, somewhat lost, for some time until I managed to find my colleagues again after about two hours.

 

This is wonderful Basto. Please keep documenting your journey.

 

Oh Basto. I confess I’m very envious! This has been on my “bucket list” for many years. I’m hoping to do it either during the Spring or Fall of next year, God willing. The dream of doing it is what motivates me to walk 4-5 miles per day … hoping to keep fit enough.

if you have time, I’d love to keep seeing your posts. I understand this pilgrimage can be truly a spiritual awakening. My prayers for you on this journey. Peace

 

Thanks for starting this thread. I had been hoping to do part of the Camino. Knowing that it would be unrealistic for me to imagine I could do all of it, I had hoped to do a stage at the beginning and the end. That's out of the question now so I will enjoy following your pilgrimage instead. May the Lord give you the strength to endure to the end.

 

I too would love to do it but it's beyond my capability now.
Keep us posted. Travelling with you in spirit.

 

So wonderful for you. Yes keep us posted!

 

Buen Camino, Basto.

 

The "Camiño de Santiago" is an interesting experience but there is very little faith in most participants. Nowadays it has become an essentially cultural experience, a tourist product. This contrasts greatly with the groups of Portuguese pilgrims who within a few days begin walking in the opposite direction towards Fátima to arrive there on May 13th. There, it is possible to see a lot of faith, prayer and penance.

 

it’s sad to read this. I’m hoping to go with a few guys including a priest -friend with plan to make it a spiritual retreat. We shall see. It’s up to God. Peace.

 

I suppose you can easily do this with your group and priest. What I meant in my previous comment is that the environment you will find is not one of faith or prayer, the vast majority of people you will come across are not really pilgrims but tourists.

 

The entire itinerary is marked with yellow arrows or the shell of Saint James.

 

Maybe you could include their conversion in your own pilgrimage intentions. If even one of them is touched by the Holy Spirit your reward in Heaven will be great.

 

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Apparently people can do a small walk from outside the city which is only three or four miles. Lovely if only visiting for the day..or two.

Some people do it on bikes or even on horses or donkeys.

 

It’s on my list as well! Perhaps we can coordinate a MOG forum pilgrimage!

 

That would be great. ❤️