“The Way of St. James,” explains the pastoral team of the Salesian institute in Atocha, Madrid, "is a personal experience, because everyone sets out with what they are and what they have; everyone sets out with their questions and desires, their energies and abilities, their faith and problems, and hopes to find some answers for their own situation.”
“Reality, life, people,” they continue, “have their resonance and their capacity to be inhabited, so that there are encounters with oneself, with others, and above all with God. And this silent, veiled but constant presence of God puts us in the best conditions to encounter ourselves and others. Along the way we approach others as fellow pilgrims and brother; we are filled with the desire to listen, serve, help, and collaborate... Setting out on the journey requires a fundamental attitude of faith, surrender, and trust to let the Spirit guide us.”
Since Lent is a time of spiritual preparation and self-renewal in preparation for Easter, several Salesian houses are taking advantage of it to begin this journey, with confidence and a spirit of fraternity.
About 400 pilgrims from the Salesian presences of Córdoba, Madrid-Atocha, Ciudad Real, and Guadalajara are completing or have already walked the stages of the Camino these days. The students of Guadalajara, who had been waiting to carry out this Walk since 2019 and had to postpone it due to Covid-19, have already finished it; as have the young people of Ciudad Real, who, once back in school, celebrated the ceremony of handing over the Compostela (the pilgrim's certificate), and took the opportunity to relive the days spent together; Cordoba completed the itinerary last week; while the youth of Atocha gathered last Wednesday for the pre-departure blessing of boots, backpacks, walking sticks, raincoats...
Most of the schools opted for the French route, leaving from Sarria to reach Santiago in about a week, concelebrating the Pilgrim's Mass there and participating in various liturgical moments. The mornings are dedicated to the journey itself, and the afternoons to the work of reflection in faith groups, celebrations, or moments of prayer or community. During the itinerary, special attention is paid to one's interior life, scheduling faith groups and vigils, and all participants always emphasize the good atmosphere and conviviality maintained throughout the journey.
Other Salesian houses and youth centers are preparing their own Way of St. James and will carry it out during the Easter vacations.
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