Holy Year on the Camino de Santiago

As many pilgrims have discovered throughout the centuries, the testing daily physical exursion often results in damage. Hospitals to care for those in trouble were common along the camino and the Bendedictine Monks were largely responsible for providing this care. Indeed, care for the needy is a main objective of the Benedictine Order. Now medical staff in modern hospitals do the same!

The flagship Pilgrim Hospital once called 'Hospital de Real Santiago' is on the Plaza de Obradoiro right in front of the Cathedral in Santiago. It is now the very upmarket 5 star 'Parador de los Reyes Católicos'. To this day a limited number of free meals for pilgrims are provided at the Parador to continue the theme of 'giving to those in need'.

Many former Pilgrim Hospitals dotted along the Camino are now in disrepair. A sobering sight in today's modern world of medical science and a poignant link to the thousand year old history of travelling the Camino. 

Spending time recovering from the hardships of travelling on foot, from disease, from hunger and all sorts were common. There were those who never recovered of course!

And so the Camino picks up again after the easing of restrictions caused by the Covid 19 Pandemic. Survivors are back and a grim chapter in the history of Europe's 'Premier Cultural Itinerary' to the shrine of the apostle Saint James is drawing to a close. It is a Holy Year and 807 years since Saint Francis of Assisi walked on pilgrimage to Santiago (that odd number I know because we celebrated the 800th anniversary of his pilgrimage seven years ago).

Our group of Welsh Amigos walked and cycled in support of brereaved parents and funds to research into stillbirth.  Neckerchieks designed around little Wilbur with family connections to two of our party we wore throughout. Sadly Wilbur did not make it into this world but the story is widespread now and his virtual journey awarded with a 'compostela' in Santiago de Compostela, the most visited Christian pilgrimage destination in modern times.

Jacobean Year (Año Xacobea) the Holy Year is extended into 2022 due to the Pandemic and then next falls in 2027