A
”
pilgrimage
”
is a journey to a holy place undertaken from motives of devotion
in order to obtain supernatural help or as an act of penance or
thanksgiving.
A “pilgrimage” is a journey to a holy place undertaken from motives of devotion in order to obtain supernatural help or as an act of penance or thanksgiving.
Pilgrimages are an ancient tradition in Christianity. “The Canterbury Tales,” Geoffrey Chaucer’s 14th century literary masterpiece, deals with a group of pilgrims heading from London to visit the Shrine of St. Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral.
On a recent vacation in Spain, I discovered just how popular pilgrimages remain today. As many as 200,000 people are expected to travel “El Camino de Santiago” (Way of St. James) this year, reaching the shrine of St. James to show their devotion to him and their faith. “Santiago” (also “San Iago” or “San Diego”) is the patron saint of Spain.
St. James the Greater, so-called to distinguish him from another apostle of Jesus of Nazareth also named James, was also called “The Son of Thunder” and holds a special place in the New Testament.
One of the first martyrs of the church, legend has it that his body was transported by boat from Jerusalem to Northern Spain, where he was buried in what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela. For centuries, Christians have made the journey to pay homage at his shrine in the city’s magnificent 12th century cathedral. Notable participants have included St. Francis of Assisi, Pope John Paul II and Shirley MacLaine.
Whenever St. James’ Day (July 25) falls on a Sunday, the cathedral declares a “Jubilee” or “Holy Year,” and “La Puerta Santa” (Holy Door) into the building from the main plaza is opened on Dec. 31 before being walled up again a year later.
As 2010 is a Holy Year, the number of pilgrims has increased greatly. I witnessed hundreds of them in one afternoon, including a man whose head was bleeding profusely from a fall along the way.
Most pilgrims carry a document called a “Credencial” (Pilgrim’s Passport), which they purchase from a church or the Spanish Tourist Office before leaving on their journey.
This allows them to stay at “refugios” (dormitories) along the way, having it stamped to verify their travels. They also usually carry a staff or walking stick, often hooked at one end like a cane. This allows them to hang things on it to bring along with them.
The staff often has a scallop shell attached, a symbol of a legend that states that the ship carrying James’ body sank in a storm, his body disappearing in the ocean. Later, however, the body was supposed to have washed ashore undamaged, covered in these shells. The shell can also have practical purposes: to scoop water to drink or to use as a bowl to eat.
Pilgrims who finish the journey receive a “compostela” – a special certificate if they have walked at least 100 kilometers or bicycled at least 200 kilometers. (For those who claim no spiritual purpose for their pilgrimage, a “certificado,” a secular certificate, is substituted.) There are other requirements for this “Compostela”:
– Make a confession
– Attend Mass in the cathedral
– Pray for the intentions of the Pope
– Undertake a charitable work, which can include a financial donation.
A “plenary indulgence,” remission of time to be spent in purgatory, is granted upon successful completion of all the requirements.
A highlight of the pilgrimage is the Pilgrims’ Mass celebrated in the cathedral each day at noon. The starting point and country of origin is announced for each pilgrim, and incense is burned in a giant “thurible” (incense burner) that requires several men to swig.
There are other customs pertaining to this pilgrimage. Some pilgrims make an additional journey west to Cape Fenisterre (Land’s End), considered the westernmost point in Europe since the days of the Romans. During the week of St. James Day, there are festivities like carnivals, street parties, concerts and fireworks.
