I’ve been seeing many social media posts about the Camino de Santiago. Many of these posts are titled “What I Wish I Knew Before the Camino” or something alluding to preparedness and practicalities for the way. I found out you can start your journey in Ireland, which I thought was pretty cool. This is not the first time I’ve encountered the Camino in my life. When I was a child, the film “The Way” with Martin Sheen was released. Growing up in a catholic household, it was instantly a staple. The film depicts a father’s account of walking the Camino and collecting the remains of his son. This movie is a very specific journey as the main character Tom is struggling with his faith and dealing with the immense grief and pain of losing him. This is probably a very realistic depiction of why someone might choose to walk. This fictional tale being my only exposure to a reason as to why someone might embark on a 100 km hike, I’ve always been curious about what motivates real people to seek out the Camino.
During one of our staff lectio divina, we read from John 14:1-12. This Gospel is where Jesus states, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” While discussing this passage, I was once again reminded about the Camino. The comfort I gain from this reading is something I imagine many people feel. There is much that can be taken from this. A confirmation of the trinity, the comfort of Heaven, reassurance in the unknown, etc. This reading is titled “Last Supper Discourses”:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
After reading this passage, I was reminded that the Camino is not just about getting to Santiago de Compostela, but the experiences and self reflection that take place along the way. People choose to walk the Camino for many reasons, but the journey is usually the larger part of the story. I made a connection to this passage by looking at the apostles journey through the Easter Triduum. I put myself in the position of the apostles during the Last Supper. I imagine it like a friendly dinner celebrating a holiday, during which your friend is trying to share something very important, but the rest of your friends have questions and want to know the next step. The apostles were probably confused, doubtful, or even scared. They were scared, but they decided to follow Him. Many of them, in their initial call to be a disciple, just picked up and left what they were doing. They were still faced with uncertainty while following, but they were faithful. This choice and faith is why I made the connection to the Camino. Many people walk it not knowing what it will bring them. Pilgrims generally say they are looking for something to change, or they are lost. Thomas states, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” I realized that Thomas’ response is so human. We constantly want to know why or find resolution, but we will not always find it. Jesus states in this reading that He is the way. The way the apostles were following was full of uncertainties by first encounter, and for me the Camino is a metaphor for that same “way”. Following Jesus, seeing through their mission, and serving the church changed their lives as the Camino can offer a spiritual shift for us.
I’ve watched and read many encounters about walking the Camino and how it has changed their lives. The message they receive from it seems to be very vague, sometimes just saying things like: “You don’t have to have everything figured out. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to begin.” (“Things I Wish I Had Known Before Walking the Camino”) These types of messages, I guess, are supposed to maintain the luster and limit expectations of people preparing to walk. Some messages are more clear, such as feeling a sense of stoicism or calmness. One post stated it “knocked the rage out of them.” After traveling such a long journey, many realize how small they are individually. These testimonials do not shock me, for most people search for something specific within themselves while walking the Camino, usually stillness and inner peace. Another writer wrote life lessons learned from walking the Camino de Santiago: “Sometimes people are only a chapter in your life, it’s never too late to change, and that we are all searching for the same thing in life.” (“Life Lessons I Learned from Walking the Camino”) I think her last lesson sums up the reasoning I am looking for. No matter what paths we take to find them we are all searching for happiness and understanding.
The Camino is a way for many, but the choice to do House of Brigid is part of the way for me, personally. As I approach the end of this program, I can look back to see many instances of personal growth in the face of daily uncertainty, and I am coming out the other side better than when I got here more than eight months ago. In my reading of this Gospel and in researching the Camino de Santiago, I see that the way is everywhere. There are experiences I am having here that mirror the feelings of the apostles and the pilgrims on the way. There will always be uncertainty in the plan, but what I will gain from the journey is something I need. Leaving my family and career to move across the world for a year was not easy, and the journey will only continue after I leave Ireland. I hope to return to teaching after the program concludes, and continue my adventures, no matter the uncertainty, will not stop. I do hope to walk the Camino one day so I can check it off my bucket list and deepen my faith even further.
