La Credencial del Peregrino

[Rosina Lila]

There is not a shop anywhere in Spain where you could buy a pilgrim's
credential with the stamps on it, and I am  surprised and saddened that
someone should suggest it.  At any rate, the purposes of the pilgrimage would
be negated by such fraud. It is inconceivable to me that anyone with the
minimum spiritual attitude embodied by the credential and the Compostela
would ever  consider such malfeasance.

This is, translated verbatim, how the Santiago Archdiocese explains the
Compostela and the Credential:
                                 -----------------------------------
                        THE COMPOSTELA
"The pilgrimage to Santiago arose spontaneously in the 9th and 10th
centuries. Because of the large number of pilgrims it was thereafter
institutionalized under specific religious and social circumstances and it
became desired to certify its completion. At first, pilgrims used badges,
such as the scallop shell, that could only be obtained in Santiago.  At one
point there were so many fakes issued by dishonest individuals that mane
prelates, and even the Pope, excommunicated the falsifiers.
 From the 13th century on evidential letters issued by the religious
authorities in Santiago were used. These were the precursors of the
Compostela.
In the 16th century Queen Isabel of Castille, and her husband, Fernando of
Aragon, created the Foundation of the Royal Hospital and built the edifice
known as the Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos, which was converted into a
state-run parador in 1954.  Pilgrims in possession of the Compostela could
stay there for three days. Because of the health problems of some pilgrims,
the Hostal was enlarged to include the most important Galician hospital which
eventually became the central site of the famous Santiago School of Medicine.
The 20th century, with the advent of the automobile and other like means of
transportation brought about changes in the pilgrimage. For many people, the
effort and sin expiation which were part of the traditional pilgrimage became
a holiday activity.  Civilian authorities and other groups began issuing
certificates of visit, such as those issued by the Israeli Ministry of
Tourism in the Holy Land, purporting to substitute the Compostela.
Nevethertheless, and fortunately, the Chapter of the Metropolitan Church in
Santiago continues issuing the Compostela and urging the Hostal de los Reyes
Catolicos to comply with its original obligation.
Regulations were established by the Santiago Archdiocese to limit the giving
of the Compostela to those pilgrims who walk or go on horseback for at least
the last 100 kilometers  or go by bicycle for the last 200 kilometers leading
to the tomb of the Apostle Santiago.
The text of the Compostela is written in Latin, and it translates to:

"""""The Chapter of this Holy Apostolic Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago ,
custodian of the Seal of Saint James' Altar, to all faithful and pilgrims who
come from everywhere over the world as an act of devotion, under vow or
promise to the Apostle's Tomb, our Patron and Protector of Spain, witnesses
in the sight of all who read this document, that:
..................................................... has visited devoutly
this Sacred Church in a religious sense (pietatis causa).
    Witness whereof I  hand this document over to him/her, authenticated by
the seal of this Sacred Church.
 Given in Santiago de Compostela on the (day)................
(month)............A.D.........
                    (signed)    Chapter Secretary """"

                            THE CREDENTIAL
To obtain the Compostela the pilgrim must abide by the conditions stated if
s/he wants to obtain the Compostela.  The revival of the Camino of late has
compelled the creation of an accepted model of a pilgrim's credential.
The cardboard credential consists of 14 accordion-like pages. The first page
contains medieval drawings of a pilgrim's staff, gourd and shell resting on a
massive door and almost framing the door's center lock and keyhole; the last
page contains an illustrated shadow image of the front of the Cathedral with
Santiago's tomb before it. The second page is a form that functions as a
letter of recommendation to be filled by the pilgrim's home parish, in a
Christian Association, an abbey, a confraternity, etc. At the bottom of the
second page there is a specific space for the last stamp which is affixed at
the Pilgrims' Office in Santiago, including the date, once the pilgrim has
completed the pilgrimage and is given the Compostela.
The other pages contain spaces for the stamps of refuges, parishes and
confraternities which the pilgrim has crossed throughout the Camino. The
reverse of those pages contain a series of maps with the different ways to
Santiago, a pilgrim's prayer and directions for the use of the Credential.
    NECESSARY REFLECTIONS
*The credential is meant for pilgrims who walk, go on horseback or bicycle to
Santiago as an act of religious devotion or at least a spiritual search.  Its
purpose is to identify the pilgrim. Consequently, the presentation of  the
pilgrim must be made by a parish, a confraternity or a similar institution.
While the credential does not confer any particular rights, it does have two
practical purposes:
    1. Admission to the albergues who offer Christian hospitality along the
Camino
                                         and
    2. Obtaining the Compostela, the official certificate of the pilgrimage,
from the    Cathedral of Santiago. The Compostela is awarded to those who
have made the   pilgrimage in Christian terms: devotionis affectu, voti vel
pietatis cause (motivated   by devotion, vow or piety). To get the Compostela
the pilgrim needs to walk, or   ride on horseback, 100 kilometers, or bicycle
200 kilometers, up to the Tomb of   Santiago Apostol.
*Consequently, the pilgrim's credential can only be issued by the Church
through its institutions such as Bishoprics, Parishes, Confraternities.,
etc., or others authorized by the Church. This is the only way to obtain the
Compostela in the S.A.M.I. Cathedral of Santiago.
*Albergues do not receive any subsidies; pilgrims who can do so should help
in their maintenance, keeping in mind the austerity necessary for reflection.
Pilgrims can help clean, repair,  etc., or make economic contributions.
*Organized groups in bicycles, or with automobile support, are requested to
seek other accommodations
*The bearer of this credential has agreed to comply with these rules.
                            BLESSING
    ""In the name of our lord Jesus Christ, receive this sac and tunic for
your pilgrimage, so that, contrite and corrected, you hurry to prostrate
yourself at the feet of Santiago, where you yearn to reach and, having
completed your journey, you return to your home delighted with the help and
inspiration of God, who rules over the world without end. Amen.""
    ""Receive this staff to support your journey and your efforts during your
pilgrimage so that you may overcome the multitude of enemy obstacles and
arrive, in safety, at the feet of Santiago, and, the pilgrimage completed,
you return to your home delighted with the approbation of the same God who
exists and rules over Heaven and earth forever and ever. Amen"".
                                            ---------

The above official definitions of the Compostela and the Credential were
published by the Archdiocese in its publication "Jornadas sobre el Ano Santo:
noviembre 1993", and they remain intact to this day.
Regards,
Rosina