Our parish’s patron saint is St. James the Great, one of the original 12 apostles, and he has become a favorite in modern times and the Santiago de Compostela Archcathedral Basilica is part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela and is an integral component of the Santiago de Compostela World Heritage Site in Galicia, Spain. San Tiago is the Spanish equivalent of St. James the Great.

Every year, thousands of tourists and devotees flock to Galicia at the end of a personal journey of faith popularly known as the Camino walk. “It’s like taking a journey to the beautiful interior of yourself,” according to the testimonial commonly made by devotees and pilgrims.

The Camino walk is both a physical and spiritual journey, a truly unforgettable experience, because “when you walk the Camino de Santiago, the Camino will walk with you during all of your life. It will give you extra spiritual strength boost your self- confidence.”

Last month, I was asked to share my thoughts on the significance of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela that has been undertaken by many devotees in our parish in Muntinlupa City that was named after St. James the Great.

Sometime in 2015, my wife joined a small delegation led by our parish priest to secure a relic of St. James the Great from the cathedral-basilica in Galicia. Although they did not do a “full” Camino, they returned fully enthused and eager to propagate the devotion to St. James.

A book has been published that documents the Camino de Santiago pilgrimages of members of our parish community who have professed their devotion to our patron saint, St. James the Great.

I am humbled by this opportunity to express my thoughts and feelings — even if I have not been a Camino pilgrim, except vicariously, through the narratives shared by our friends about their pilgrimage experiences that have truly been life-changing for each of them.

“Every step a prayer,” was how Maria Luisa Legaspi-Delfin characterized her Camino. She wrote:

“I did not walk the Camino Frances merely to reach a destination; I walked to listen. Somewhere between the mountains of Sarria and the golden plains of the Meseta, I realized that the Camino is less about movement across geography, and more about movement of the soul. Every step became a prayer. Every ache became an offering. Every sunrise felt like God whispering.”

Two of my former students at the Asian Institute of Management, Richard Cruz and Teddy Sumulong, did the Camino through the Sarria way, completing their pilgrimage in six days. He did not tell me, but I could surmise that Richard offered his Camino in thanksgiving for having survived a life-threatening illness. Both Richard and Teddy are in their early fifties.

I am tempted to say, “Sayang hindi ko pa naisip yung pagiging peregrino nung ako ay kasing-bata pa nila (It’s a pity I did not opt to be a pilgrim-devotee when I was as young as they are now.)”

When I recall that time of life, I realize that my mindset 20 years ago was far from that of being a Camino pilgrim. Indeed, we experience God’s providence in ways we could not predict. We live each day grateful for the grace of being healthy and praying that we are kept safe from danger or harm or illness.

Yet, there are those who set out as peregrinos de Camino — yet failed to complete their journey.

My esteemed friend, former Press Secretary Tomas ‘Buddy’ Gomez died in Galicia, while doing the Camino at the age of 86. Uncannily, Buddy Gomez’s Camino came to an end in Galicia, the same place where Richard Cruz began his pilgrimage.

Indeed, God’s will is expressed in mysterious ways.

This is a reality that the readers of our parish’s Camino de Santiago book could probably discern as they leaf through its pages.

Willie Nuesa’s account of the unexpected death of Fr. Nocks, a secular priest who was part of their Camino expedition along the San Sebastian way is also memorable. As narrated by Willie, Fr. Nocks was the youngest — perhaps not even 40 years old at that time — yet he died suddenly, and inexplicably, while doing the Camino.

Other members of Willie’s Camino group were Archbishop Sergio Utleg, now 83 years old, who was Archbishop of Tuguegarao in Cagayan, and former Department of Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Ricky Tamparong, who has since retired and become an ardent devotee.

Indeed, the Camino is traversed on many roads, across countries — yet, at its core, it enables the peregrinos to experience the presence of God throughout their journey and until their destination.

This is a journey that leads to God not just at the Santiago Cathedral where hangs the fabled Botafumero censer, but to all the churches in the world, including our own, where pilgrims find solace in the benevolence of a patron saint who inspires their devotion and nurtures their faith.

An essential chapter of the book, written by the children of its first publisher, Dr. Ernesto Arada, contains Our Ten Camino-mandments — or 10 Commandments — which are down-to-earth suggestions that pilgrims would do well to take heed of.

The 10th Camino-mandment is particularly memorable: “Thou shalt keep the spirit of the way after Santiago. The pilgrimage does not end at the Praza do Obradoiro. Thou shalt carry the lessons of the trail — the grit, the simplicity, and the kindness — back into the life that awaits thee at home.”

As this was being written, our parish is promoting a Camino for the youth that is scheduled in mid-July as part of our parish fiesta celebration.

Those who are devotees of St. James have imbibed the Camino spirit: to seek, to strive, to find and not to yield, reposing one’s faith in St. James’ powerful intercession.

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