SUSAN Y. NARCISO
The spark to walk the Camino de Santiago started about ten years ago. Friends were going, and it spoke to me. “I will walk the Camino” became a cherished dream. But life was still busy with family, work, and other endeavors. The dream was put on hold but remained in my heart. Fortunately, Tony got on board, for he was the one person I wanted to journey with.
Last May 2023, the call got stronger, and it seemed like the right time. We kept ourselves open to the prodding of the Spirit. We felt that our Camino had begun, and we opened ourselves to the How/Where/ When questions that were still unexplored and unanswered. And if we didn’t t get to do it, then that is part of our Camino.
The in-depth preparation began – the practical aspects as well as the inner journey questions that we will reflect on. John Brierley’s manual on the Camino perfectly stated, “Perhaps pilgrimage, the Path of Enquiry, will lead us to that point of understanding where there is no longer a separation between path and goal, where life itself is a pilgrimage and every step a prayer.”
I developed a hamstring issue in August. Should we postpone our pilgrimage until I am fully healed? Aside from this, we had upcoming trips in November and January. We decided to set aside the Camino plans until after those trips.
In January, with body issues still unresolved, we decided, “It’s a go!” It felt right, and we trusted that we would continue to be led and held. Travel arrangements were made, and we were all set for our June Camino by March. “To be perfectly imperfect” and “Come, what is. Teach us your good lesson (R. Rohr)” were part of our mindset luggage. Hopefully, these will help us be present and mindful, respond with love to whatever curveballs we encounter, and fully trust that God will watch over us.
Barcelos, Portugal, was our starting point, 194 km from Santiago, Spain. Can we walk this in 8 days? We were determined and yet open to getting a ride if our 63-year-old bodies needed it. We will take it one day at a time and bank on what people have told us …the Camino will provide.
We began our walk and transitioned into pilgrim mode soon after. We walked through forests where birdsongs and rustling leaves accompanied the creak of our every step, and the sound of flowing waters calmed our being. We hiked on paths along vineyards and cornfields and meandered through small villages where we got a glimpse of local life. We plodded on through hot and rainy days. We walked on paths of gravel, big rocks, ancient roots, and cobblestones, hiked up and down many elevations, and crossed old Roman bridges. We walked under the cover of a nature dome fashioned by trees, and it felt like we were being enveloped by God’s care and love. The thought that we are treading a path that thousands of pilgrims have walked was both heartwarming and unfathomable in its richness.
We averaged walking 8 hours a day. Tony walked his faster pace and would lovingly wait for me at junctions. When another hill came to view, we simply focused on the next step. It was a practice in perseverance and being present to what is in front of you. We asked family and friends if they wanted us to pray for their intentions. It became a long list, and to our surprise, praying these intentions helped propel us forward when it got tough.
“Buen Camino” greetings warmly connected pilgrims. Yellow arrows and shells reassured us that we were on the right path. The abundance of awe-inspiring vistas, the natural world, and beautiful churches faithfully reminded us of divine presence.
On our eighth day, we arrived in Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. We felt utter joy and joined fellow pilgrims in celebration! We stopped by the Pilgrims chapel and knelt down in thanksgiving. Tears started to flow continuously. We were deeply grateful for the cover of protection and guidance gifted to us as we journeyed. Later, we joined hundreds of pilgrims in the Cathedral for a Pilgrims Mass and hugged the life-size statue of St. James, whispering “thank you” into his ear.
It’s been a month since we walked to Santiago, yet our Camino continues as we live out whatever learnings we received on our pilgrimage, striving to “be the prayer” daily. Buen Camino!
