The Aura of Protection on the path to Santiago by Diana Acosta-Valle

Whether it is a intriguing Knights Templar sword blessing or a Spanish Catholic prayer, we have experienced many rituals throughout our journey as pilgrims. Although the ones I will describe are pertaining to our path from León to Santiago, many of these rituals become more and more common along any path you take.

For example, in Hospital de Orbigo at the parochial pilgrim hostel, the blessing bestowed upon the pilgrims was a combination of a story and a life lesson from a Catholic priest. As we sat in his study, the priest stated that God already knew the reason for everyone’s pilgrimage even if the person herself didn’t know. This is a common Catholic theme, “God always knows what you need.” The tale of a male pilgrim who died recently was key to this story. He was a young walker who started the Camino to strengthen his body, a very sporty motive, and eventually discovered that his reason for walking was to serve the underserved communities. When finished, he became a follower and helper of Mother Teresa. He was the “golden boy” and the picture of a perfect pilgrim from the eyes of the church. Metaphorically, he was “bit by the dog” of faith along the Camino. He died suddenly on a return trip from Calcutta when he participated in the Camino but was hit by a train en route. He became a symbol to this priest of the power of God and the Camino.

Parish priest explaining the story of a pilgrim victim.

Parish priest explaining the story of a pilgrim victim.

Some donativos (shops run on donation) also offered us spiritual pilgrim rituals for protection. Tomás for instance, offers pilgrims a type of performance involving the use of energies, believing some places along the French route rise and intermix with the energy of the earth. He prays to St. Michael, the Archangel, and tells those who are curious enough to enter his decorated little cottage, the tales of miraculous events that happened to people all over the world when they were protected by this saint. They involve car crashes with no injuries, and cures without treatment. His ritual specifically involvIMG_7498ed circling around us with a sword (symbol of the Knights’ Templar) while chanting in Spanish. Certainly, a different experience than the devotional pilgrim Catholic blessing.

Nonetheless, one of the most historically significant rituals is the Catholic pilgrim blessing after a mass. Interestingly, the perspective of the Catholic Church towards pilgrims went from judgement and penance, in times when walking was seen as punishment for transgressions, to a commercialized venture. Nowadays, mass blessings are open and involve praying the Our Father and a Benediction over those who have the necessary perseverance to walk.

Each blessing is rich in tradition and culture and each serves as part of a placebo effect that, if you let it, will accompany you throughout your journey. Whatever it is that proteIMG_7839cts us, we, as pilgrims, will gladly accept what we can get.

 

 

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