Camino de Santiago de Compostela - Diocese of Portsmouth

Camino de Santiago de Compostela
The CAFOD Pilgrimage
A unique and meaningful challenge
CAFOD is the official overseas aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.
UK reg. charity no, 285776

The Camino de Santiago de Compostela
For over a thousand years pilgrims have been travelling on foot to
the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, in north-west
Spain where the apostle Saint James the Great is said to be laid to
rest. The route, known also as The Way of St James, is one which
will challenge individuals both physically and mentally as they wind
their way along the varied routes and terrain.
The Camino de Santiago de Compostela accommodates many
motivations and is a remarkable journey for anyone who decides
they would like to take the opportunity to experience it.
It is not a journey to be rushed.
“A really positive
experience… I
would recommend
it to other people”
“We travelled the pilgrims’ route in a
spiritual manner that reflected the
ethos of the journey. In all honesty it
lived up to my expectations.”

An Invitation
We would like to invite you to walk the last 100 miles (160km) of The
Camino. As part of your journey we ask you to raise money for our work
by inviting others to sponsor your walk. In this way you can give hope to
some of the world’s poorest communities and make a real difference to
people’s lives.
As you walk you might also take the opportunity to pray and reflect on
your own life journey, and on how you, like the Apostle James, live out
your commitment to the Gospel of peace and justice.
Your actions can make a world of difference to those in need.
Walk in Community
We encourage you to walk in community. You can elect to join with fellow
pilgrims also supporting CAFOD through their journey by travelling
together from 16 September – 25 September 2011.
We hope that this will enable pilgrims to give each other support and
encouragement, to learn from one another and accomplish a great
challenge as a team. Pilgrims from all parts of England and Wales will be
invited to join together for a pre-trip training weekend, in which we will
hear stories from past pilgrims, enjoy a training walk together and share
more information and detail about the challenge.
You might prefer to undertake the challenge on your own, or with a group
from your parish, family or work place. CAFOD will support you whatever
option you choose.

Support for your challenge
CAFOD Pilgrim Guide
Our guide contains information about local areas as well as personal and
group daily reflections for you to use as you see fit. It also includes basic
Spanish speaking tips, some historical background, pictures and much
more. In addition, we will supply a detailed guide to the pilgrimage
walking route broken down into a manageable daily sections, which is
produced by the Confraternity of Saint James.
Training weekend
To prepare you for your challenge and allow you to meet fellow pilgrims
before the trip itself, we will be hosting a training weekend.
Pilgrim Passport
We will provide for each participant a Pilgrim Passport in which you can
collect stamps as evidence of your visit to an area. It allows you to stay in
pilgrim hostels along the route, although it does not guarantee entry.
Other accommodation options (e.g. B&Bs) are also available. Once you
have confirmed your attendance on the trip, we will purchase the Pilgrim
Passport on your behalf.
Fundraising support
Part of your challenge is to raise funds for our work around the world. The
Events Team will be on hand to give you support and advice about how to
maximise your fundraising, how to promote what you’re doing locally,
and make the most out of your experience.
Debrief
A month after returning to the UK, we will host an afternoon debrief at
CAFOD Head Office, London. This is an opportunity for us to say ‘thank
you’ and learn from your experiences. Pilgrims will be invited to share
some of their favourite moments, their struggles and triumphs, and their
photos!
Sign-up
After you’ve read the frequently asked questions below we invite you to
apply to be a part of this trip by filling in the form on our website and
returning it to challenge@cafod.org.uk or by post to: CAFOD Events,
Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7JB.
If you have any queries or questions please do get in touch via email or
by calling 020 7095 5333.

What to expect: frequently asked questions
Will the walk be difficult? Do I need to be physically fit?
You will have to walk between 12 and
18 miles each day. The landscape on
this route will change from mountain
scenery to rolling hills as you near
Santiago. The route is well maintained
but paths range from well-surfaced
roads to less defined tracks. It may
often be muddy underfoot so make
sure you are prepared. In addition,
you will be expected to carry your
luggage along the route.
Although you should be relatively fit,
people of all abilities complete the
Camino every year– many travelling a
longer distance. Blisters need not be
an inevitable feature of your Camino.
We strongly recommend a training
programme to help minimise the risk
of injury or discomfort — the fitter you
are the more enjoyable it will be!
Who is responsible for my safety?
You are! The most important thing to remember is that you are
responsible for your pilgrimage: your travel, your fitness, your expenses
and your safety. Remember to use the same rules for walking safely in
the countryside that you would follow in the UK, and consider using
walking poles or sticks. In return for your generous commitment we will
make sure that you are as prepared as you can be. We will support your
physical, mental and spiritual preparation, help your fundraising, and
celebrate your achievement upon your return.
How can I travel to the start/from the finish of the pilgrimage?
You are responsible for your travel plans. There will be an agreed meeting
point for CAFOD supporters walking together and you should ensure you
arrive in plenty of time for the first day of walking, whether by air, sea or
road. You will be able to get a direct flight home from Santiago at the end
of the pilgrimage if you wish.

FAQs continued...
What accommodation should I
expect?
There is shelter at every stage along
the route, a pilgrims’ hostel or two in
every place. These are basic lodgings
specifically for pilgrims. They don’t take
advance bookings and occasionally if
they are busy you may need to be
prepared to sleep on a roll mat rather
than a bed. They are staffed mostly by
volunteers, some have kitchen facilities
but many do not. They operate a strict
policy of early mornings, and quite
often you need to be ready to leave by
7/8 am. Alternative accommodation is
usually available in the form of a B&B
or hotel.
What should I eat?
Every town has a bar that serves the Pilgrims Menu — a three course
meal with wine / water for the evening. There are also small shops in
towns and villages where you can buy food to cook in the hostels if they
have a kitchen. These shops tend to sell tortillas, baguettes, cold meats,
fruit, and bread for breakfast or picnic lunches. It would be good to carry
high energy supplies on you, such as energy bars or drinks.
What is the Pilgrim Passport?
This is a credential required for the trip and is used to collect stamps as
evidence of your visit to an area. This can be exchanged in the Pilgrim
Office in Santiago for a certificate.
Will I need a passport and/or visa?
A ten year passport is essential for travel in Spain and it must be valid for
at least three months after entry into the country. There is no visa
requirement for UK citizens but other nationalities should check entry
requirements. Please also ensure that you travel with a European Health
Insurance Card (previously the E111 card), which entitles holders to free
emergency health treatment.
Will I need to carry all of my luggage?
Yes. Participants will have to carry their own luggage along the Camino.
There will not be a support vehicle or local guides, so pack light and be
prepared for a challenge!

FAQs continued...
What about the weather?
In September, the weather is
usually dry and hot, although
some areas have high rainfall.
We suggest that you prepare
for chilly mornings and wet
weather by bringing waterproof
layers — a poncho is
effective for this. The average
max. temperature is 24°c and
the average min. temperature
is 14°c. It may well be windy
at times too.
How much will it cost?
We request a donation £100
to cover the costs of the
preparatory weekend,
resources/guide books and
the Pilgrim Passport. Other
costs to bear in mind are:
travel (variable by type of
transport); food (€25-30 a day recommended; less if you cook
yourselves) and accommodation (€10 - 25 per night recommended,
depending on where you choose to stay).
Anything else?
Travelling is always unpredictable, whether because of bad weather or
otherwise. It’s all part of the challenge you are signing up for! We can
guarantee that coming face-to-face with experiences outside your comfort
zone will help you to bond with your fellow walkers and provide you with
plenty of things to laugh about. A sense of humour and a sense of
adventure are two of the most important things to bring with you!
Further information about the Camino
Contact the Confraternity of Saint James at:
27 Blackfriars Road
London SE1 8NY
Tel. 020 7928 9988
Web. www.csj.org.uk
Or visit the online Camino forum: www.caminodesantiago.me/board/