Holy Family Church: “Walking the Camino”

The Way of St. James is the pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the apostle Saint James are buried.

Depending on one’s route, the Camino de Santiago de Compostela is from 235 to over 800 kilometers long. Holy Family’s Monsignor Clem Connolly and Parish Life Director, Cambria Smith both walked parts of the Camino this last summer on separate trips. On Wednesday, March 13th The Women’s Connection will host a talk where they both will share their knowledge and experience of the historical, spiritual, physical and practical aspects of the pilgrimage. Times are from 9 to 11 a.m. and repeated at 7 to 9:00 p.m. in the Galilee Room of the Parish Center.

The Way of St. James was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during medieval times, together with Rome and Jerusalem. Legend holds that St. James’s remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain where he was buried on the site of what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela.

Today tens of thousands of Christian pilgrims and many other travelers set out each year from their front doorstep or popular starting points across Europe, to make their way to Santiago de Compostela. Most travel by foot, some by bicycle, and a few travel as some of their medieval counterparts did, on horseback or by donkey. In addition to people undertaking a religious pilgrimage, the majority are travelers and hikers who walk the route for non-religious reasons: travel, sport, or simply the challenge of weeks of walking in a foreign land. Also, many consider the experience a spiritual adventure to remove themselves from the bustle of modern life. It serves as a retreat for many modern “pilgrims”.

Cambria Smith recently reported that her journey was “harder” than she thought to accomplish with difficulty sleeping and eating. She shares her practical experience with the community.

Many films have been made about this journey, including in 2010, The Way, a movie starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez (who also wrote and directed), has as a central “character” the Way of St. James. It is a story of a father looking for answers after he receives news that his son has died on the Way; he takes up the pilgrimage in order to complete it for his son. The film was presented at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2010, and premiered in Santiago in November 2010.

Holy Family Church is a welcoming Catholic Eucharistic community connecting faith with life and reaching out to those in need.

Holy Family Church, 1527 Fremont Ave South Pasadena, (626) 799-8908 or visit holyfamily.org.