On the Camino

The symbol of the Pilgrim to Santiago is the Scallop shell of which many can be found on the coast of Galicia and it is actually a symbol of the Pilgrimage (and has become a symbol of other Christian Pilgrimages too) partly because you could find the shell easily there and so could go back home and show it off as proof that you had done the Pilgrimage. It has also been included in carvings in some Churches. S callops also serve a practical purpose for medieval pilgrims as it is the correct size for getting water to drink or to use as a small bowl to eat their food from.

  A selection of photos taken in Santiago at night

For this year I decided to create a card and gift in one. 

I thought that it would be interesting to take pictures of all of my equipment for the Camino for you guys to see - I know that a lot of people make lists for others but not many show everyone what they take. Please remember I'm not a photographer! I have only ever walked in September and March-May, requirements at other times of the year will be different. 

The cross of Saint James is a red cross that is the same shape as a sword with a Fleur de Lis on its hilt and its arms - these were said to represent the 'honour without stain' in reference to the morals of Saint James whilst the fact that it is based on a sword represents Saint James' Chivalry and that he was a matyr (as he was killed by a sword) and also, in a manner, to take the sword in Christ's name.

As I am a Christian but not a Catholic as I walk the Camino I often attend the Pilgrim Masses but understand little of the services but have now managed to find pdf bilingual Mass books.

The website https://vivecamino.com/en/where-do-the-pilgrims-who-make-the-camino-de-santiago-come-from-no-382/  has listed the countries which 'send' the most Pilgrims on the Camino: