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.
Sr Katherine O’Flynn fcJ and Fr Brendan McManus SJ have worked for some years in the Camino Companions ministry welcoming pilgrims in Santiago and have recently published a book, Living the Camino Back Home: Ignatian Tips for Keeping the Camino Spirit Alive (Messenger Publications, Ireland).
The book suggests ways that pilgrims can keep the spirit of the Camino alive when the pilgrimage is finished and we return to the vagaries and challenges of everyday life. With food for thought, practical supports and colour pictures of the Camino throughout, the book offers « Ignatian tips » for pilgrims who wish to deepen their relationship with God as they strengthen the spiritual practices which they learned on the Camino. These « Ignatian tips » can be helpful for anyone on a spiritual journey. While the Camino can be a wonderful experience and provides many pilgrims with a new perspective on life, the real Camino according to Brendan and Katherine is the Camino of daily life. Although written from the Christian perspective of its authors, it can be used by pilgrims of all faiths and none.
The book also tells of Camino Companions, an initiative of the FCJ Sisters set up in Santiago to help pilgrims find meaning in their Camino and so to carry those insights and practices back into ordinary life.
All are invited to the book launch on 15 November at 7pm. Click here to register for the launch.
Brendan McManus SJ is a Jesuit priest and currently works as a Spiritual Director and retreat giver. He has published a number of books, some on the Camino and others on Ignatian spirituality. With Jim Deeds, he co-authored the award-winning Finding God in the Mess trilogy.
Katherine O’Flynn FCJ is a psychotherapist and works as a volunteer with Camino Companions, an organisation set up by the FCJ to welcome pilgrims to Santiago, offering them an opportunity to reflect on the experience and the meaning of their pilgrimage.
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.
