IN the medieval heyday of the Camino (journey), official motivation for undertaking the pilgrimage was clearly and strictly defined in religious terms – although history reports that there were also many who were on the road for reasons less lofty.
The Christian pilgrim sought only to reach the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in western Spain and to view the tomb of Saint James the Apostle. In the chapels and churches that steadily multiplied along the Camino, pilgrims can view relics and visit shrines as they travel. In this way they are constantly strengthening and reinforcing their faith and atoning for their sins.
The religious traditions along the Camino include the daily Mass in the chapel of Roncesvalles or St Jean Pied de Port, where pilgrims are blessed as they begin their walk across Spain; obtaining a Pilgrim Passport from the local church or Pilgrim Office; the visits to the hundreds of chapels, churches and cathedrals along the Camino; and the application for the compostela on reaching Santiago.
The compostela is a certificate granted by the Catholic church to those who have completed the pilgrimage. Written in Latin, it is granted only to those pilgrims who, on being asked their motivation for walking the Camino, give their answer as either ‘religious’ or ‘spiritual’. Those who apply for the compostela visit the Pilgrim Office near the cathedral in Santiago and show their Pilgrim Passport.
If you wish to know more about the pilgrimage then simply Google the words and a plethora of information will be given.