Christ the Redeemer Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago
June21,2016
On June 23, a small group of parishioners from CtR will embark on a walking pilgrimage to Santiago de Compestela in Spain. The Camino de Santiago, more commonly known as The Way, is a historic pilgrimage route to the shrine of the Apostle St. James where his remains were buried after being carried by boat from Jerusalem after he was martyred. The Camino is a large network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and converging at his tomb. One of the routes, the French way, begins in France and crosses the most northern part of Spain for 500 miles. Our group will pick up the route for the last 100 kilometers and begin walking in Sarria.
We peregrinos (pilgrims) have been planning this journey for the better part of a year. We have trained by walking and praying daily. Many of us did not know each other well before our group formed but thanks to Jane Lakatos, who has organized the entire trip, we have hiked and planned and anticipated a remarkable opportunity. During our journey we will be posting daily pictures and anecdotes. We will be carrying the prayers of the parishioners of CTR with us.
Why do the Camino? There are many answers and each of us has his/her own. A plenary indulgence can be earned by having our “Pilgrim’s Passport” stamped at our stops. Many of us will be looking for spiritual growth and renewal. Some might be looking to gain insight into the simplicity of life along the Camino. We go as individuals but need each other as a group for support and guidance. We will meet new people along The Way. We will commune with nature and each other. Hopefully, all worries will be left behind and we will return slightly different. Our feet may hurt but our hearts and minds will be soothed by our experience.
Please pray for us as surely as we will pray for you. And join us in a virtual “Buen Camino”. We hope by sharing our journey with you that we may encourage you to try your own Camino someday.
Peace,
Debbie Horgan
Jim Brecker
Hugo Pena
Rosie Hamer
Jane and Travis Lakatos
David and Ofelia Carrasco
Steve, Martha, and Bianca Carrasco (from El Paso)
Wayne and Carol Hall
Junior and Lissie de Jesus
Dan and Diego Ruvalcaba
P.S. To view a more accurate description of life on the Camino, we encourage you to watch the 2010 movie, THE WAY, starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez.