In her early 30s, Rachael Sanborn found herself in a bad relationship and dreaming of an escape to the Camino de Santiago in Spain. It’s a pilgrimage her father had undertaken that had profoundly changed his life. Sanborn, a rebel and adventurer by nature (she dropped out of college to meditate in India for a Read more
Simone Hivert, a 100-year-old French woman, is scheduled to reach the popular shrine of Santiago de Compostela, the alleged burial site of St. James the Apostle and an important pilgrimage destination since the 9th century, later this month. Hivert – described as “a most extraordinary pilgrim” is due to arrive at the shrine in northwestern Read more
Hospitality for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage is essential say French and Spanish bishops. They are offering guidelines to those who host the pilgrims suggesting how they can welcome and care for their spiritual needs. Read more
Bishops whose dioceses are along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route have tried to counter moves to make it just a cultural or tourist experience. French and Spanish bishops released a pastoral letter setting out the possibilities of evangelisation of those travelling the route. The bishops admit that 70 per cent of those walking the Read more
Pilgrims are being warned not to travel alone on a stretch of Spain’s Camino de Santiago after the disappearance of one woman and a series of assaults. In April, American Denise Thiem, 41, went missing after last being seen near the church of Santa Marta in Astorga. She was walking along the Camino Francés, one Read more
The Anglican Bishop of Wellington New Zealand, Justin Duckworth and his wife undertook the month-long Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in June. Many people on the walk, he said, wanted to talk to him about his role as a Bishop, and his experience of God. He was surprised that monasteries and churches appeared not to engage Read more
Not long ago, only a few people would make the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Now, over 200,000 people a year spend several gruelling weeks along the route. Traditionalists turn up their noses at the crowds, but the rewards are still vast. In the Middle Ages, pilgrimages were neither a quest for meaning, Read more
Not one prayer Marcia. Even though you asked me to pray for your pilgrimage to Santiago, not one dialogue with God has unfolded. No petitions have been sent heavenward asking for your safekeeping. Not even any candles lit on your behalf. My lack of proper praying hasn’t given rise to any guilt at all; just an engaged interest Read more
