[Gocamino] [Santiagobis] Pilgrim reasons

[Johnnie Walker]

This has been a fascinating discussion. The root of the issue is the wording of the Compostela which is highly prized by many pilgrims particularly the Spanish. To remind ourselves a translation of the Latin:
 
"The Chapter of this Holy Apostolic Metropolitan Cathedral of St. James, custodian of the seal of St. 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: Mr…………………has visited devoutly this Sacred Church in a religious sense (pietatis causa). 




Witness whereof I hand this document over to him, authenticated by the seal of this Sacred Church.
 Given in St. James de Compostela on the (day)……(month)……A.D. ……… 




Chapter Secretary"
It is the interpretation of what might qualify as pietatis causa which has led to there being two boxes - Religious and Religious/Other. In the Pilgrims Office if someone ticks the Non Religious box they will be asked if they are sure they didn't walk for spiritual reasons such as a promise - the whole concept of the Promesa lies deep in Spanish culture. I wrote about this  sometime ago here:
 
http://johnniewalker-santiago.blogspot.com/2010/09/where-faith-and-doubt-unite.html
 
My conclusion is that the Religious/Other box is a bit of a fudge but it is well intended so that people who cannot bring themselves to say they walked for Religious reasons have another option.
 
Best wishes
 
John 

 
www.johnniewalker-santiago.blogspot.com
 

 



To: Santiagobis at yahoogroups.com
From: dianarautenbach at yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2011 00:06:06 -0700
Subject: Re: [Santiagobis] Pilgrim reasons

  






We first started walking the camino in 2006 when for "religious reasons" was more the order of the day. With our last walk in 2011 we found people to be walking for reasons such as: I'm out of a job and don't know which way to turn, maybe walking will clear my mind and give me some ideas of what to do next // I'm bored stiff and need something new to occupy me // I'm all for adventure, new cultures, people, sightseeing // and this might be a nice, cheap holiday etc. We also found that there were very, very few religious people (nuns, priests etc) on our 2011 walk.

--- On Thu, 10/6/11, Lynne Gilberg <lgedit at sbcglobal.net> wrote:


From: Lynne Gilberg <lgedit at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [Santiagobis] Pilgrim reasons
To: Santiagobis at yahoogroups.com, "Richard Ferguson" <richard at fergusonsculpture.com>
Date: Thursday, October 6, 2011, 2:50 PM



  

Way back in the Dark Ages (2002) when I first did it, the choices were: “Religious” or “Spiritual and other reasons”. The difference is, to me, enormous.

(Richard: I saw that little wink....)
-- 
Lynne
lgedit at sbcglobal.net







From: Richard Ferguson <richard at fergusonsculpture.com>
Reply-To: <Santiagobis at yahoogroups.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2011 08:17:49 -0600
To: Santiagobis Camino <Santiagobis at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [Santiagobis] Pilgrim reasons

 
 
 
   

Mark said:

I do wonder, what is the difference between "Religious and Other Reasons" and "Religious". I would think Religious is Religious. Just wondering.

----------------------------------------------------------

I remember when I was on Camino a young man asked me if I was walking for religious reasons or for the adventure, and I said "both"  (actually "los dos").    That still seems to me the right answer, in terms of what my intention was.    

However, the most important thing that I got out of my pilgrimage was not related to adventure or religion.   ;-)

Richard

Sculptures in copper and other metals
www.fergusonsculpture.com

 
   





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