Camino By The Rev. Mary Lessmann
go. Over the years, those who completed the trek 15/16 72 198,879 would return with a scal115 81 17,292 lop shell as a talisman and proof of their journey. Walking the Camino de Santiago continues nother beautiful day in to be a popular pilgrimnorthwestern Spain. We age today. In 2019, almost 350,000 check our backpacks and put pilgrims set out from popular starting on our hiking shoes and, after saying points across Europe to make their our prayers together, begin to walk way to Santiago de Compostela. Most the trail where we left off yesterday travel by foot, some by bicycle, and a afternoon. And our spiritual – and few travel as some of their medieval physical – journey continues. counterparts did, on horseback or by donkey. Of all the various Camino The Camino de Santiago, also known routes, the Camino Frances is the as the Way of St. James, is a pilgrimage most popular. It begins on the French across northern Spain culminating side of the Pyrenees and continues for at the shrine of Saint James in the 780 kilometers to Santiago. Walking cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. this route can take about six weeks. Pilgrimage to Santiago began in the However, there are many spots along 9th century after the discovery of the the way from which you can begin remains of St. James the Great and your journey, all concluding at the has continued ever since. During the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. medieval period, the pilgrimage was supported by the Roman Catholic The Camino de Santiago is a walking church, and church-staffed hospitals retreat – an opportunity to be at one arose along the trail a day’s walk apart with God and with God’s creation. to serve those on the journey. The After our inaugural trek in 2019, scallop shell, commonly found on the Saint Michael and All Angels will nearby Galician shore, has long been be returning to walk the Camino de the symbol of the Camino de SantiaWeek 1/Week 2 Pilgrims
Camino Trail Miles Walked
Total Steps Taken
Kilometers Walked, Per Group
Total Miles Walked
Total Calories Burned
A
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THE ARCHANGEL | FALL KICKOFF 2020!
Santiago in September of 2021. This women’s pilgrimage will be led by The Rev. Mary Lessmann and Margaret Spellings. We’ll fly to Madrid and transfer by bus to Sarria, where we’ll begin our walk on September 16. We will cover the last 115 kilometers of the Camino, ending in Santiago de Compostela. Each day for a week we’ll walk anywhere from 9 to 14 miles and will stay in small hotels along the trail each evening. Those who wish to attend will need to be physically up to the demands of the journey. Our pilgrimage group will train for the Camino in 2021 leading up to our trip in September.
Camino de Santiago Information Meeting Sunday, September 20 12:15 p.m. Video Call For questions and to RSVP, please contact The Rev. Mary Lessmann at mlessmann@saintmichael.org
