May, 2002, pilgrims

[Rosina Lila]

Hello you all,
    During the month of May 5,238 pilgrims received the Compostela. About 77%
of them walked (4,053); 22 1/5% went by bicycle (1,176) and 9 pilgrims rode
horses.
The May pilgrims this year exceeded the 2001 May pilgrims by  1,272.
    3,389 of the pilgrims were male and 1,849 women.
    The majority of the pilgrims, 3,262, were between 30 and 60 years of age;
1,065 were over sixty years old and 911 were under 30 years of age.
    A religious purpose for the pilgrimage was stated by 4,893 of the
pilgrims; 345  declared their motive to be educational and cultural.
    2,005 of the pilgrims were from Spain and 3,233 came from other
countries, principally from France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Great Britain
and Brazil.
    The preferred route was the French Way, which was followed by 4,789 of
the pilgrims- note that the Archdiocese includes the Aragonese Way,
commencing at Somport or Jaca, as part of the French Way- 158 pilgrims
followed the Northern Way, 145 the Silver Way, 139  the Portuguese Way and 7
the English Way.
    920 of the pilgrims started out in Saint Jean Pied de Port; 678 in
Roncesvalles; 617 in Sarria; 344 in Leon, 308 in O Cebreiro and the rest came
from various other points, all more than 100 kms away (for walkers) and 200
kms. away (for cyclists).
    Again, the above figures reflect only those pilgrims who completed the
pilgrimage in the prescribed manner and requested the Compostela.  All others
are not included.
Warm regards,
Rosina