Reflections of a walker on the Compostela de Santiago per Buen Camino / Follow My Camino May, June 2026 ... including the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass / on our own "Roads to Emmaus" while on "Just A Closer Walk" with the Lord!
When one is taking walks on trails, it is so important to have a good backpack and essentials inside, as well as appropriate attire and certainly good shoes.
I was blessed this past May and in early June to make my first Camino de Santiago, the Way of St. James from Porto Portugal into Spain!
Unlike the others on my Buen Camino Follow My Camino Pilgrimage Group who had backpacks with unlimited storage and attachments, I settled for a rather simple, yet rugged Knapsack that suited me well!
It was certainly physically challenging for me and us at times carrying a heavy backpack with essentials like water, food, sunscreen, pancho raincoat, rosary and a plethora of other random items, including some mini St. James statuettes that we would give away to other pilgrims, their kids or to whom ever the Holy Spirit would inspire us to share this with.
It was also psychologically challenging as we would motivate each other when fatigued, feeling aches all over our bodies, blisters on our toes ... and being sure to stop when needed for routine needs, as well as the all important cappuccino or americano coffee hits and possibly a few cervezas as the afternoon crept upon us!
Most of us had spiritual motivations for coming on the pilgrimage, so it was such a blessing to have Fr. Patrick, OP and Deacon Hector with us.
While still on the walks and before entering Santiago, it was neat for some of us to watch the movie "The Way" staring Martin Sheen which I had never fully watched.
It was so powerful to see myself in all the characters who, like Sheen, had demonstrated their own elements of “unresolved conflicts” that needed to be addressed in some manner through the walks.
I and my fellow Buen Camino pilgrims had our own personal “baggage” of things that accompanied us on our Compostela journeys, which like Sheen in the movie were not fully resolved.
But as in real life, the journey was like one of my fav songs, “Just A Closer Walk With Thee,” so I could have a fresh look at coping and living as Jesus has intended … and wants me to carry my own crosses with Him at my side!
And my fellow Buen Camino pilgrims also helped to prod me, at times, to open up to the healing and warmth given and shared by all.
The destination for the pilgrimage was technically Santiago Spain, and I can vividly recall seeing - and all of us verbalizing for motivation - the posted marking signs numbering along this St. James Way with the Yellow Arrows and Shells denoting how many more kilometers were needed to complete the Way.
It was very poignant as we were getting closer to completing our el camino that we were able to consider using little rocks found on the way that could signify someone or something that embodied our main concerns that we were addressing per the walks.
And what a blessing to be able to have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and Confession available to nourish and replenish our hearts, minds and souls!
So one day on one of our walks, we were unable to find an appropriate elevated area for Fr. Patrick to use for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
So Father chose my simple Knapsack that had a flat and rectangular shape to use for the Altar. Before it was used, I carefully cleaned and prepared my Knapsack for this privileged opportunity.
After that special Mass and for the remainder of my walks, I was honored to have on my back that holy, blessed Knapsack – which will forever remind me to carry my own crosses as I continue to walk with and for Jesus!
You never said how long you walked, but since you said it was days, I believe it was a rather long journey and gave you what you needed spiritually as well as physically.
I don't recall ever having a backpack or nap shack in my youth. Except when we went on extensive outings in Boy Scouts where they were provided.
During my 50 mile walk for President Kennedy, I carried a couple of chocolate bars in my shirt pocket and a car came along with my lunch of sandwiches and a couple of cans of pop for the day.
When I spend an entire day walking up the volcano Agua to 11,500 feet in Guatemala, I carried my market purchased beautiful shoulder bag with two rolls that I bought in a bakery as I walked out of town and no water. Before I started down the mountain, there was a convenient rain barrel where I drank my fill and when I got to the village of Santa Maria de Jesus at 6500 feet, I bought a Fanta to drink.
In all the other trails and walks that I've taken in all of my travels, I never carried anything. Making my journeys on those trails as light and free as could be, with no concern of being dehydrated or going hungry.
Farhad Shirazi, a three star general of the ex-Shah's army who has been hiding in Iran for nine years,needs to escape From Ayatollah Khomeini's Iran or face capture and execution by the revolutionary guards...
When one is taking walks on trails, it is so important to have a good backpack and essentials inside, as well as appropriate attire and certainly good shoes.
