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Why not join youth pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

Hamish MacQueen, Director of Youth Service shares some personal thoughts about this year’s youth pilgrimage to Santiago de Compestela.


When it was suggested that for our summer pilgrimage this year we ‘walk the Camino’, I was filled with a mixture of dread and excitement.  We’d done it back it 2017, and it was physically challenge then, but that was six years ago. Since then I’ve celebrated a significant birthday and am definitely somewhat less fit than I was!

Yet, despite or maybe because of the physical challenge, there is something about going on pilgrimage that is profoundly powerful – even life changing.  I’ve seen it first-hand.

The Camino de Santiago (The Way of St James) has been a pilgrimage route for over 1000 years, walking to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela where St James is buried. Last year attracted a new record of almost half a million people doing it, and for a variety of reasons.

For me taking time out from the busyness of everyday life; the sense of community with fellow pilgrims; and being immersed in the beauty of God’s creation for several hours a day, are a main part of it.   I’m now really looking forward to it!

Led by Bishop Peter, the pilgrimage runs from July 22-29. If you are age 18 – 30, why not come and join us? More information available here and to book a place, click here. Places are limited and bookings accepted on a first come first served basis.

Picture courtesy of felixwong.com

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