Pilgrim Blessing

[PeregrinoRoberto]

In the past have seen postings of a blessing that can be used by priests when a member of the congregation is about to embark on their Camino, but I can't locate it. Would someone post a copy of the traditional blessing used by priests when a person is about to leave for a religious pilgrimage on the Camino?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[JabbaPapa]

I think there are several versions, and each Diocese is liable to have its own norms. Perhaps phone them and ask ?

 

[pashami]

This is from the Book of Blessings:

Liturgical Year : Prayers : Book of Blessings: Blessing of Pilgrims

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[Kirkie]

Would this do?
Origin, unknown to me. Let those in the know provide credits.
As a matter of fact, any intentional pilgrim can receive this blessing at 12 noon, St James's church, Dublin 8. Most first Saturdays of the year.
Today included...


The Beatitudes of the Pilgrim
Blessed are you pilgrim, if you discover that the Camino opens your eyes to what is not seen.
Blessed are you pilgrim, if what concerns you most is not to arrive, but to arrive with others.
Blessed are you pilgrim, when you contemplate the Camino and you discover it is full of names and dawns.
Blessed are you pilgrim, because you have discovered that the authentic Camino begins when it is completed.
Blessed are you pilgrim, if your knapsack is emptying of things and your heart does not know where to hang up so many feelings and emotions.
Blessed are you pilgrim, if you discover that one step back to help another is more valuable than a hundred forward without seeing who or what is by your side.
Blessed are you pilgrim, when you don’t have words to give thanks for everything that surprises you at every twist and turn along the way.
Blessed are you pilgrim, if you search for the truth and make of the Camino a life of your life,
Blessed are you pilgrim, if on the way you meet yourself and gift yourself with time, without rushing, so as not to disregard the image in your heart.
Blessed are you pilgrim, if you discover that the Camino holds a lot of silence; and the silence of prayer, and the prayer of meeting with God who is waiting for
you

 

[J.Patrick]

From Roman Pontificals from the 13th Century (slightly adapted for modern use):

Blessing of backpack: Lord Jesus Christ, because of your infinite compassion, by the command of the Father, and through the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, you came down from heaven to seek the lost sheep, caught in the devil's snare, and to bring back heaven’s flock, carrying us on your shoulders. We humbly call upon you, most gracious Lord: sanctify (+) and bless these backpacks for those who, for the love of your name, will bear them over their own shoulders as they fulfill your command. When they petition in prayer, seek in pilgrimage, and live a worthy life, may your pilgrim servants encounter your right hand to protect them, and come safely, at last, to our true heavenly home.

Reception by bearer: In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, receive this bag as a sign of your pilgrimage, so that having been disciplined, saved, and corrected, you may arrive worthily at the threshold of the saints. After your journey has been completed, may you return safely to your own home. By him [whose coming is certain, whose day draws near, our Lord Jesus Christ, may He live and reign forever in our hearts]…

Blessing of staff: We ask also a blessing on these walking sticks in the (+) name of the Fat her, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the support of your journey, your labor and your pilgrimage.

Reception by bearer: Receive these walking sticks, which, along with the strong right arm of our Lord Jesus Christ, will sustain the steps of your journey, so that you may be able to go on safely and bravely, resisting all falls and dangers, especially the venomous impulses of the ancient serpent. When, through the intercession of the saints whose intercession you desire, your journey finishes, with God’s help and blessing, may you be worthy to return to your own country. Amen

While setting the first stamp/sello (2 Cor 1:21-22): A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians: “But the one who gives us security with you in Christ and who anointed us is God; he has also put his seal (+) upon us and given the Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.”
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Blessing of the pilgrims themselves in their parish church: May the Almighty and Eternal God, the way, the truth, and the life, lay out your path according to his good pleasure. May he appoint the archangel Raphael, Tobiah’s companion on his journeys, as your guardian during your pilgrimage, leading you in peace to your destination and guiding you back to us safely. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints, whose support you seek, intercede for you, that you may receive, according to your desires, prudence, peace, and forgiveness of sins, and acquire eternal life. We ask this blessing, in the name of (+) the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

 

[Bala]

Perhaps you're thinking of the Pilgrims Prayer from the Codex Calixtinus - 12th C. It was prayed over us several times at pilgrim blessings in 2015 and 2018, and was printed on out American Pilgrims credential:

God, You called your servant Abraham from Ur in Chaldea, watching over him in all his wanderings, and guided the Hebrew people as they crossed the desert. Guard these your children who, for love of your Name, make a pilgrimage to Compostela. Be their companions on the way, their guide at the crossroads, their shelter on the path, their shade in the heat, their light in the darkness, their comfort in discouragement, and the firmness of their intentions; that through your guidance, they may arrive safely at the end of their journey and, enriched with grace and virtue, may return to their homes filled with salutary and lasting joy.

 

[PeregrinoRoberto]

Perhaps you're thinking of the Pilgrims Prayer from the Codex Calixtinus - 12th C. It was prayed over us several times at pilgrim blessings in 2015 and 2018, and was printed on out American Pilgrims credential:

God, You called your servant Abraham from Ur in Chaldea, watching over him in all his wanderings, and guided the Hebrew people as they crossed the desert. Guard these your children who, for love of your Name, make a pilgrimage to Compostela. Be their companions on the way, their guide at the crossroads, their shelter on the path, their shade in the heat, their light in the darkness, their comfort in discouragement, and the firmness of their intentions; that through your guidance, they may arrive safely at the end of their journey and, enriched with grace and virtue, may return to their homes filled with salutary and lasting joy.

Yes, this is the one I was thinking of. Thanks for sharing it with me once again! Buen Camino!

 

[Bala]

Glad to help. That blessing is very special to me, as is the one @Kirkie posted above. I found a copy of that one at Zabaldika (I think) and read it often over the following weeks.

Many beautiful prayers and blessings for pilgrims -- from over the years and over the centuries. And now this thread has added a few more for me.