The Way of St James - El Camino de Santiago

Tradition tells us that the relics of St James the Apostle were brought to Galicia in Northern Spain and buried on a site within the present day city of Compostella. A great Cathedral now stands over his tomb and attacks many thousands of pilgrims each year. The number reached over 270,00 in the last Santiago Holy Year in 2010.

During the medieval period, the way to Compostella was one of the great pilgrimages of Christendom, endowed with indulgences and those who travelled there came from all over the world. The major routes they took across Europe are still travelled today by many Christian pilgrims, on foot, bicycle or horse and many others seeking some sort of escape from the modern world and perhaps in search of a Truth they cannot yet name. Some of theses pilgrims walk hundreds of miles, staying in pilgrim hostels or sleeping under the stars. They carry a 'credencial' or pilgrim passport which is stamped along the route to prove that they have made the journey.

On arrival at the shrine of the apostle, they are issued with a 'Compostella' a certificate proving the pilgrimage has been completed and attend a daily pilgrim mass in the cathedral. During the mass the world famous botafumeiro or giant thurible, containing burning incense is swung, symbolising the prayers of the pilgrims ascending to God. Some believe this ceremony originally had a more practical purpose; to disguise the smell of unwashed pilgrims who may have been on the road for many months!

In early March, Dom Anselm Carpenter, a Benedictine Monk, Br Bede, a Benedictine oblate and Mr JP Loveland will be walking the final sections of the Camino (111kms). As well as a Lenten penance, the original intention for this pilgrimage was for vocations to the religious life at the Benedictine Abbey of St Michael, in Farnborough, UK but to that now we must also add our prayers for the election of a Pope and an act of thanksgiving for the ministry of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI. Before the walk two of us will be travelling, by car, the longer Vezalay route of the Camino Frances, and after the walk, visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Technology permitting, we hope to blog most days at dialoguewithtrypho.blogspot.com and we will be praying the monastic office each day and reciting the rosary as well as attending Mass when this is possible.

We will be praying for all of our friends and for members of SSIM and we sincerely hope that you will accompany us on this pilgrimage with your prayers. Please, particularly pray for vocations to the monastic community at Farnborough and for the election of a new Pope as well as for the walkers.