Last month I had the incredible experience of hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain. I know it will take weeks to process the whole experience, but in the meantime, here’s the first installment!

“What is it?” is easier to answer. The Camino de Santiago, or the Way of Saint James, is a Catholic pilgrimage to the city of Santiago de Compostela in the Galicia region of Spain. The Apostle St James, one of the two sons of Zebedee and brother to the “Beloved Apostle” John, is traditionally thought to be buried there. He is the patron saint of Spain since he evangelized the country and according to legend, interceded on its behalf in battle against the Moors.

For a lot of modern walkers, the Camino provides simply a vacation – a chance to exercise, get away from technology, eat well, and explore the stunning countryside. For others, it is a pilgrimage of challenge and achievement, celebrating a landmark birthday or event like retirement. For many, though, the pilgrimage is still a quest for prayer, faith and spiritual growth.

So why did I do it?

Originally, it really was just a chance for a unique vacation. As my friends and I researched the various ways we could approach the trip, we settled on a Catholic pilgrimage tour. To be honest, I voted for the tour over our other options because a) I wouldn’t have to carry anything besides my daypack on the trail and b) I had a guaranteed bed in a clean hotel every night. I hardly noticed the other details, like a fantastic spiritual director accompanying us, daily Mass, traditional prayer opportunities every day, and the fact that as a grand finale we would spend two days in Fatima.

Even now, as I reflect on the experience, I can see God’s hand at work. He wanted me to be part of this special group. He wanted me to be touched by these people, to share my story and hear theirs. He wanted me to feel His presence in the kindness of strangers, the call of a cuckoo bird, the smell of the Eucalyptus groves, and the sense of the ancients walking beside me. He was there all along, blessing my blistered feet and enjoying my delight at each new vista or revelation. I went on the pilgrimage because God called me to.

More to come….