20jun25: why me a pilgrim?

For lots of people the movie "The Way" either opened their eyes PR tur.ed them on to walking The Way. Camino, is I understand Spanish for "the way". There are stacks of caminos many leading to the city of Santiago de Compostela in north western Spain.  This is where the remains of Saint James, or Sant Iago, lie. 

Other caminos across the world are set on ground made sacred by Jesus, Mary or Amy other saints. I first heard of the concept of pilgrimage as a catholic kid, when Lourdes was mentioned. I learned that Catholics, especially those with illnesses or special need, travelled to the place where am image of the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared nearly two hundred years ago. There was said to be a grotto there, and being a kid I thought it soundied very special and cool. 

Of course Lourdes came up a lot over the years whether in church or religious studies, and the fascination never really waned. I guess, for one thing it was a real place on earth that held links to the Holy Family. 

Then, more recently, about five years ago I heard about the camino and of people having walked it. I read about it as a hike, of its historical significance and the many austere albergues that offered pilgrims meals and cheap lodgings along the route. Then I saw "The Way" and it all became quite a thing. Not until bothy parents had passed away and my children had secured work, could I seriously consider becoming a pilgrim. 

If I am honest there were other events that sharpened my knowledge of good and evil. These terms were often used in primary school. But the nun's ready deployment of fear of "going to hell" as a motivator for kids to behave had me believing the whole evil thing was a catholic schools creation. Besides, being a largely positive individual I never really believed that people could be evil. I did recognise that people did evil I just didn't think there were people who were evil. Well, let's just say that it took me sixty years, but I learned that evil was much more real than I imagined. This realisation had the effect of encouraging me to going deeper into being a "good person". I had always been quite honest and caring, not perfect, just good, but this lesson in evil took me back to those early times. 

And while I can vouch firsthand that not all clergy or catholics are good people, among their ranks are some really admirable individuals.Most are quiet and unimposing, but I knew in my heart they existed and that being good was something to strive for. 

So, why the Camino? I'm short, I'll be free of day to day concerns at home, in beautiful deeply religious settings, I'll be mixing with seekers, I'll have time to meditate on goodness and being good.