Camino Companions is an FCJ project in Santiago de Compostela to offer pilgrims a space to articulate and find meaning at the end of their Camino. One of the project volunteers, Sr Máire, a Sister of Mercy from Ireland, reflects on her experience of welcoming pilgrims in Santiago.
Having just returned from 2 weeks in Santiago, listening to the sacred stories of pilgrims who have walked the Camino, I am still in awe of the depth of their faith and their committed searching for the ‘something more’, which they often encountered on their journey. Seeing God act in such similar ways in so many diverse people from different backgrounds, cultures and age groups, has been an inspiration for my own faith and my own searching. As one pilgrim commented: ‘We have more in common than what divides us.’
Four themes seemed to surface regularly when we invited pilgrims to share what had surprised them most during their Camino.
- The kindness of strangers – both local Spanish people and other pilgrims.
- How little one actually needs for the journey – both in terms of the Camino and the journey of life itself.
- One’s own resilience – despite having planned and prepared for the journey, the unexpected always occurs – as in life – and yet we surprise ourselves with our resilience.
- Gratitude – for all of the above, but also for a heightened awareness of the beauty of nature, when one has time to slow down and really notice.
While many pilgrims had amazing stories of healing and inner wisdom to share, what was most life-giving for me, as a Camino Companion, was witnessing the dawning realisation that the real Camino begins when they return to their daily lives. To see their eyes light up as they realized that the insights they had gained on the Camino were also relevant in their everyday lives, was truly a blessing. They became energized when they thought about being their ‘best Camino selves’ every day, and that they could integrate their Camino learnings into who they are becoming, and how they live with their families and work colleagues at home.
I was also helped by listening to the pilgrims’ stories to realise that my own life (these past few years especially, have been difficult personally) has been an inner Camino journey, resulting in the same struggles and graces as those who have walked the actual Camino.
I conclude with a simple, but profound piece of pilgrim wisdom: ‘Be where your feet are.’ This struck me as a wonderful invitation to live in the moment and to be fully present to where I am, to who I am with, and to what is happening right now.
It was a privilege to be a part of the Camino Companions team and I am grateful to God and to the FCJ sisters for the opportunity to participate in such a life-giving and enriching ministry.
Photo: Camino Companions volunteers, in blue t-shirts, with pilgrims from all over the world in Room 6 of the Pilgrims Reception Office in Santiago de Compostela.
Read more about Camino Companions on this website for information about where and when to find us, follow Camino Companions on facebook, or get in touch at caminocompanions @ gmail.com
