Camino de Santiago

October 23, 2008


My life was rocked by the great saints along the Camino. I admired their devotion to Christ and the Church. Even more than that, I saw the need to love Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Through the devotion to the Sacred Heart, I was awakened to praise Him in my reception of the Eucharist, and any time I enter His house. I couldn’t get over how desperate He loves us, and how humble He makes Himself to us.
-Former FOCUS Missions Pilgrimage Participant

Dates: July 10th-26th*

Mission Director: Marnee Peterson

Mission Co-Leaders:Gina Koshute

Amount to Fundraise: $2900*

*Dates and Amount to Fundraise Subject to Change

The Way of St James has existed for over a thousand years and was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during medieval times.   It is considered one of three pilgrimages on which a plenary indulgence can be earned.  The others are the Via Francigena to Rome and the pilgrimage to Jerusalem.  St. James’s remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem, by his disciples, to northern Spain where they were buried on the site of what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela.

Today, tens of thousands of Christian pilgrims and other travelers set out each year from their front doorstep, or popular starting points across Europe, to make their way to Santiago de Compostela. Most travel by foot, some by bicycle, and a few travel as some of their medieval counterparts did, on horseback or by donkey.

You have the opportunity to join our group on this amazing adventure! For 13 days, we will travel on the path that thousands of other pilgrims have traveled for centuries before them.  We will spend time in prayer and conversation as a group and with many other pilgrims along the way, and stay in a different hostel each night.  On July 24, we will participate in mass in the Cathedral of St. James on the Feast Day of St. James and see one of the greatest firework shows in all of Europe!

Price includes: Roundtrip airfare from Denver (or other US departure city determined by the Mission Director), travel insurance, pre-trip orientation retreat, post-trip debriefing retreat, all food, lodging, and in-country transportation.(Does not include immunizations and travel meds, your travel to/from departure city, passport/visa expenses, other personal incidentals).

*Dates and Amount to Fundraise Subject to Change