<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT SIZE=3 PTSIZE=12 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Franklin Gothic Medium" LANG="0">Hi Jean,<BR>
The Compostela was, and is, only meant to be a certificate of pilgrimage so that, in olden times pilgrims could make use of the Santiago hostals. It didn't, and it wasn't meant to, convey any indulgences (reduced "purgatory" time). Only crossing the Holy Door during a Xacobean Holy Year conveyed such indulgences. In modern times crossing the Holy door in a Xacobean Holy Year just feels good for a great many of us........ I don't really know anyone who takes "indulgences" literally.<BR>
You can read about the history and purposes of the Compostela by going to:<BR>
www.archicompostela.org<BR>
click on the multicolored shell on the web page which will take you to the pilgrims' page, then click on the Union Jack to read the information in English. The next page will give you several choices, including "Compostela"; click on it and you will find the pertinent, and true, information regarding thereto.</FONT></HTML>