Why “The Way”

Camino de Santiago – The Way of St. James

The French Way – Camino Francés – is the most popular of the routes of the Way of St. James (Spanish: Camino de Santiago), the ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. It runs from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French side of the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles on the Spanish side and then another 780km on to Santiago de Compostela through the major cities of Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos and León (500 miles total). A typical walk on the Camino Francés takes about six weeks (at about 15 miles per day), allowing for rest days along the way. The waymarking on the French Way is very extensive. The familiar yellow arrow is a source of great comfort – popping into view just when you think you are lost.

In the busyness of our secular lives, dedication to a spiritual path opens a space that allows for a profound personal transformation. Within the crucible that is pilgrimage a remarkable alchemical reaction takes place that burns away the dross we have collected in our lives so that, over time, only the purest gold will remain.

We have a sacred contract, a divine function and reason why we came here. Pilgrimage provides an opportunity to delve deeper into that purpose and the time to re-orient our lives toward its fulfillment. The Call of the Camino is being heard all around the world – the call to move beyond that which separates us and to find that common bond, that spiritual thread which binds us together and, by extension, connects us to the Source of all that is.

Thank you for taking this journey with me. Keep me in your prayers. You are in mine.