Pilgrims return from 'El Camino de Santiago'

From July 30-August 9, the Ven. Calhoun Walpole led a group of pilgrims to Spain to walk the final stage of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage road. The "Camino de Santiago," as it is popularly known, has been a pilgrimage road traveled by Christians for well over a thousand years.

The trip began in Madrid, after which the pilgrims traveled by bus to thetown of Sarria where they began their walk. The pilgrims covered over 70 miles in five days. The travelers reported that the rolling hills of Galicia proved challenging, but the scenery was breathtaking, and the experience of walking together was very spiritually rewarding.

A highlight of the journey was celebrating the Eucharist in a garden in thesmall village of A Rua on the evening before the last day of walking. With sore legs and blistered feet, the pilgrims arrived in Santiago de Compostela on August 6, spending a day touring the medieval city and its beautiful cathedral before returning to Madrid for the flight home.

Everyone who went on the pilgrimage is eager to share stories of their time, so if you're interested in learning more about their adventure, don't hesitate to ask! All agree with a bit of local wisdom that was learned along the way: "Everyone is having their own journey, but all are on the same road."

– The Reverend Rob Donehue

Traveling with Fr. Rob and Archdeacon Walpole were fellow pilgrims Davis Donehue, Abbey Wright, Julian Wright, Christian Basel, Trish and Mike Ward, Ben Walpole and Jay Walpole.

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