Camino de Santiago in 2017

In 2017, three groups of students from Newman College undertook part of the Camino de Santiago. In July, the first group travelled across Spain from Leőn to Santiago and were accompanied by the College Chaplain. In November and December, two further groups travelled northwards to Santiago from Portugal, this time joined by Father Sacha Bermudez-Goldman SJ.  

Here are some reflections from the participating students:

An edifying and exhausting experience, the Camino de Santiago offered countless occasions to meet other travellers and, importantly, to meet oneself.  Such introspection is by no means easy, but support was found in our Jesuit companion and fellow pilgrims on the journey. We ended our pilgrimage strengthened with gratitude and courage. 

My third time on the Camino, walking through Portugal and Spain this year struck me for the extent to which it helped me rediscover the joy of pilgrimage. A joyful spirituality with moments of awe, hours of hospitality and welcome, and days of true companionship with fellow pilgrims: this is what I learnt from this Camino.

 The pilgrimage to Santiago became a true immersion after the initial challenges and struggles were overcome which allowed me to focus on the deeper part of the Camino. I contemplated the purpose of walking on the Camino and the experiences I had learnt. Despite all the physical and mental challenges that we encountered, all of us journeyed on this pilgrimage to Santiago with perseverance and fortitude for fifteen days. At the beginning our destination seemed unreachable, but along the way we learnt that it was achievable. We became stronger, as the pilgrimage showed its way. Yes, the Camino walked me. But I walked the Camino, too.

Attached a few photographs from the three 2017 groups on the Camino: