2010-07-24 13:39:58

France, Spain unite to protect ancient pilgrim path


(July 24, 2010) Bishops of Spain and France are committing themselves to protecting the spiritual heritage of a network of pilgrim routes that wind across Europe and lead to the tomb of St. James at Santiago de Compostela, in northeast Spain. Known in Spanish as the Camino de Santiago or the "Way of St. James", (as the Spanish for James is Santiago), the pilgrim routes pass through many Spanish and French dioceses. The bishops gathered in Santiago this week for their second meeting about preserving the route. In a communiqué, the Archdiocese of Santiago noted that the prelates affirmed the importance of a shared pastoral program for this endeavour, "in order to invigorate the spiritual dimension of these roads of pilgrimage, which sink their roots into the very history of Europe and are the object of a progressive frequentation." The bishops addressed a series of questions such as the meaning of pilgrimage, its spiritual preparation, spiritual care, the topics of meditation along the Way, and care of non-pilgrims. They debated on the religious and cultural patrimony of the roads and the dialogue between faith and culture, hospitality, the inns and volunteer workers, the role of monasteries and the opening of churches and chapels. The prelates covered both spiritual and practical matters, such as the readability of the signs and markers along the routes. Pope Benedict is scheduled a visit Santiago de Compostela on Nov. 6 and then proceed to Barcelona that evening.







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