[Gocamino] Jaca meeting,Sept '07 pilgrims

[blaroli at aol.com]

Hello you all,

 

-Many of the “Friends of Santiago” Associations and Santiago Confraternities held a three-day meeting at Jaca last month to address the concerns of pilgrims, particularly those concerns arising from the unexpected surge of pilgrims this year which encountered woefully unprepared, and often  problematic, means of assistance and guidance.  A brief summary of the consensus of the participants included:

 

-In anticipation of the large number of pilgrims expected on the next Holy Year, 2010, the Pyrenean place of entry into Spain, Somport, should be designated as  the symbolic Holy Year’s pilgrims door, since, historically, this was the site crossed by the many Italian, German, etc., pilgrims that went to Santiago in times past. Such designation would not only acknowledge those historical ancient pilgrims but would afford modern ones a glimpse of their priceless legacy, such as the monasteries of San Juan de la Penha and Leyre.

 

-Due recognition should be extended to pilgrims that come from other continents, such as the many countries from America. Their endeavor entails, by geographical necessity, a significant commitment of time and of physical and economic resources.   

 

-The official intent of a uniform pilgrims’ credential should be vehemently protested. Friends’ Associations and Confraternities have lavished a great deal of time and care in developing their own credentials, which are dear and meaningful to them, and which have a value beyond mere identification.  A different way   can, and should be, found to detect and forestall fake credentials intended for the abuse of albergues.

 


-Pilgrims should be duly and fully informed about the other Camino routes; the French Camino, by its great popularity and attending publicity has attracted not only very large numbers of pilgrims, but also commercial designs and activities which threaten to rob it of its original meaning. Throughout the other routes albergues, guiding signs and other pilgrim facilities need be developed, and Associations of Friends and Confraternities need to be active in bringing them about. 

 


 

In a related note,

After the French and Portuguese Ways the Via de la Plata this summer has been walked by the largest number of pilgrims.

As mentioned here a few times,  the Andalucian Santiago Friends Associations have been hard at work for the past few years building albergues and pilgrims’ assistance centers throughout the Via.  In those areas where there may not be a ready albergue pilgrims can be directed to places where they may stay: parishes, municipal facilities, convents, and a web of private families with sleeping facilities and breakfast available for a few Euros.

 

The number of pilgrims this year, so far, has been about 20% higher than the previous non-Holy Jacobean year and this trend is expected to continue in 2008 and 2009. 

 

Luckily, the Friends Associations and Confraternities, as well as the Xunta and the Archdiocese, are keeping an eye on things. 

 

Hugs!

 Rosina

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