EL CAMINO

THE PREPARATION

We prepare to walk the Camino with
rigorous physical exercise, expenditures on material goods, and elevated egos, 
organised planning, precise packing, and weather predictions,
spiritual readings, reflections that revitalise,
communal masses, meetings and motivational talks.

And let’s not forget 
the mandatory and buzzing WhatsApp chat group.

THE PROCESSION

In procession along the Camino, we ENCOUNTER Christ, 

in our feelings of 

patience and impatience
frustrations and contentment
defeats and glories
depression and joys
reluctance and pride
hopefulness and hopelessness
encouragements and discouragements
timidity and courage

in

weary pilgrims,
strangers from north, south, east, and west.
young and old,
large and small,

sun and rain,
fog and mist,
heat and cold,

joys and pains,
consolation and desolation,
laughter and tears, 
smiles and frowns,
sadness and joy,

on

mud and concrete,
cobblestone and gravel,
water and sand,
asphalt and dirt,
surfaces

with 

aches and pains,
empty and full stomachs,
blister toes and corn feet,
sweating and smelly bodies,
wet, dry and ungroomed hair,

dog bites and dog kisses,
listening and telling stories,
joking, laughing, and crying,
racing ahead and limping behind,
death and life.

flowers and fruits,
slugs and butterflies,
cows, sheep, dogs and chickens,

THE PRIZE

We ended the Camino with the prize -  

a parchment Latinized certificate of completion,
an awe-inspiring pilgrim’s mass at the Cathedral of Santiago,
a Santiago shell,*
a blessing from holy incense rising from the Botafumeiro.*

Most of all, the prize of a NEW LIFE
letting go of the ego and embracing weakness.
Finding strength in God’s grace.

“For it is when I am weak that I am strong” (1 Corinthians 12: 10).

*The Santiago shell is a scallop shell symbol of pilgrimage and the Camino de Santiago. It represents the pilgrim's journey towards spiritual growth at the journey's end. 

*Botafumeiro is a large thurible that hangs from the main dome of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. It employs a system of pulleys and swings towards the side naves.