The past number of days have been the most picturesque of the entire Camino.  The walk from the medieval city of Léon towards Galicia takes one through fields of wheat and barley, vineyards and orchards, all with a backdrop of snow capped mountains.  Eventually, the route climbs up to about 1500 metres, to the famous Cruz de Ferro, where thousands of pilgrims have placed a stone which symbolizes their personal journey, a desire or a petition.

The paths through the mountains are spectacular- vistas of small villages and romanesque churches, hillsides of bright purple heather and golden broom, and the constant interplay of light on hill and sky.  The 25 km days have become relatively easy and so one is less preoccupied with getting to the day's destination.  

Time has become relative and accords with the schedule of waking, walking, eating, arriving and sleeping.  Waking has become routine – the dorm begins to wake about 6am, followed by packing up, a light breakfast, and a mandatory departure time of between 7:30-8 am.  Walking is the principal activity – if the weather is good the pace is relaxed and unrushed; if it is rainy and cold, walking becomes more insistent an deliberate.  Eating is for energy and sustenance – this is not a time to consider the waist line since walking such great distances demands high carb foods and plenty of protein ( one drops weight as a matter of course).  

Arriving is focused on finding lodging – upon settling into the dorm, a shower is first, followed by washing or rinsing out clothing, perhaps a little siesta, finding some food for the evening and checking to see if a pilgrim Mass is available.  Sleeping comes relatively early – the body needs to recoup and the early risers start shuffling around by 5:30 am.  

All in all, after three or more weeks on the Camino I find that the flow has become a way of life… in fact, it feels much longer than three weeks in that it all seems so natural, as if this is the way life was meant to be.  

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This pilgrimage is being made in support of AJAN – the African Jesuit AIDS Network – a Catholic organization that links and supports Jesuits working in HIV and AIDS care across sub-Saharan Africa. The AJAN vision of empowered individuals, families and communities working towards an HIV- and AIDS-free society and the fullness of life, is realized by Jesuits and their co-workers who reach out to people with HIV, their families, widows and orphans, and who seek to prevent the spread of the pandemic.  AJAN achieves its mission through facilitation and support, networking, advocacy and resource mobilization.  We are also happy to provide you with a tax receipt for your contributions. Please make checks payable to: Aide aux Jésuites canadiens (“Help the Canadian Jesuits” ). Please also include “2013 Pilgrimage Supporting AJAN” on the check memo line. Checks can be mailed to:

Canadian Jesuit Novitiate Pilgrimage

c / o Kevin Kelly

5611 avenue Gatineau

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

H3T 1X6