The Celebration of Faith SECTION E


Many pilgrims choose to switch their mobile phones off. Otherwise, they’d miss the experience of getting away from all the noise and bustle of everyday life, which is supposed to be a key part of the whole experience of going on pilgrimage. However, many use places with Wi-Fi access to periodically post messages on Facebook to let loved ones know that they are still alive and well.


All those following the Camino are expected to develop an attitude of charity and service towards one another. Perhaps this is helped by the fact that everyone is in the same boat: away from computers, telephones, work and other distractions. Also, because you travel light, you are stripped of your pretensions and worldly status. You may meet and befriend people from very different backgrounds than your own. Furthermore, almost everyone encounters similar hardships on route. You may help one another overcome difficulties you encounter. As a result, pilgrims become close in a way that’s hard to put into words.


Some people prefer to walk the whole way in the company of others. Some opt to walk the route alone. They may want to spend time alone with God and rejoice in the beauty of the landscape because they so rarely have any time to do so in their daily life back home. Most choose to alternate, spending some time alone and some time with others. The Camino is both a personal and a shared experience.


Water is available from fountains all along the Camino. The water in the hostels is generally safe for refilling bottles. However, this trek can be a challenge for vegetarians. Most traditional Spanish foods involve meat, such as: pulpo (octopus sautéed in olive oil and paprika) or morcilla (a spicy, dark blood sausage).


Although it is by no means exclusive to people of faith, the Camino is essentially a Catholic spiritual activity. Pilgrims are encouraged to perform actions of religious significance as they journey towards the tomb of St James at Santiago de Compostela.


Some pilgrims have remarked that, as they walk along the same paths trodden by millions of pilgrims before them, they have a strong sense of being carried along.


REMEMBER! An action of religious significance is something you do to show that: ● You have faith in God. ● You know that you are at a sacred site.


These actions include stopping at churches along the route either to participate in the Mass or just to say a prayer before continuing on. Some pilgrims have remarked that, as they walk the same paths trodden by millions of pilgrims before them, they have a strong sense of being carried along. It is as if they are journeying along a river of deep, ancient faith and tradition.


The landscape of northern Spain is quite spectacular. Much of the Camino passes through less industrialised areas, so that this pilgrimage becomes your entry point into a quieter, slower and more peaceful way of life.


Pilgrims who return home afterwards often experience culture shock. Once more you are surrounded by the sound and fury of our modern technological society. However, the great value of the Camino is that it gives you an opportunity to think about who you are, why you do what you do and where your life is going.


As one person who completed this pilgrimage put it, ‘The Camino is pure medicine. It heals many hurts of the heart and the soul. Contact with nature does much good. When we are in harmony with nature and others, we feel better.’


Anyone interested can join the Camino Facebook page, which has thousands of members. Most of them are seasoned veterans, and some have written books about their experiences of it. You can ask questions and get answers from people who know what they’re talking about.


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