What is the purpose of a pilgrimage? Throughout history, countless people have asked and responded to that question.
The question of when people walk the Camino de Santiago is one that we specifically ask nowadays. The question is really straightforward for our crew. Our purpose is to bring attention to the Apostle Saint James. Any of a number of pilgrimage paths leading to the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain are referred to as the Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James in English. In addition to giving you a taste of the Camino, we are walking it to reintroduce this magnificent saint who is at the center of this well-known pilgrimage.
travel every year. Although the number has changed over time, since the 9th century, when St. James’ tomb was unearthed, pilgrims have been coming in droves.
The stories behind our pilgrims are wide and varied. Ruth Eby of Whitehouse, Ohio made her to decision to go on this Camino in part because she will soon be an empty nester. She is on the journey here with her husband Paul. This is a time of transition for them and they are hoping to discover what new path Christ may be calling them to. The two of them have been involved with Eagle Eye Ministries for several years, as their seven children have all worked on that apostolate with Father Nathan Cromley. When they heard about the Camino they signed up immediately. Ruth tells me that she is especially looking forward to time away from thinking about dishes, laundry and other chores, and instead having time just to be with Christ. Ruth has enjoyed getting to know her fellow pilgrims as the journey has gotten underway. “I love them all”, she tells me, “especially the ones I have had a chance to walk with and talk with and get their prayer intentions.” She says she is “just happy to love new people”. She is also carrying with her the many prayer intentions of her friends and offering this trip especially for her children. Her beautiful wish for the Camino is to give back more then she gets out of the trip. Renee Polka is also carrying with her many prayer intentions. Before she left her home state of Texas, she posted on social media that she was going on a Camino and would be taking prayer intentions. She tells me she couldn’t believe the number of responses she got from people sharing their deeply personal struggles. She feels so honored to be able to take all of those prayer intentions with her and honor the people who entrusted them to her. What initially brought her on the Camino was a sense of adventure. She feels if she walks into it with that idea, then “miracles are going to happen”.
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