Camino del Mestizaje of the Americas

[Camino Joe 2021]

Does anyone know if this is an actual pilgrimage or just an official starting point? “Camino Del Mestizaje” AKA, the Baby Steps Camino. Please forward any references.

 

[Tincatinker]

Well I presume you’ve seen this https://totallystaugustine.com/july...ceremony-takes-place-in-st-augustine-florida/

Is it an official pilgrimage? Let’s not go there. The text implies that it has been recognized by the cathedral authorities in Santiago as a contributory route for those undertaking the short Camino Ingles from A Coruna. The link to the “Baby Steps” Camino didn’t work for me and I’m not inclined to pursue it

 

[Camino Joe 2021]

Thank you Tincatinker for that link. I did find some good information.

If I understand what I am reading this is the 7th annual organized 30 mile beach walk scheduled for DEC 13-15, 2024. I found this [edited for length] information.

About the Pilgrimage.
Welcome, dear pilgrim, to the 7th Annual Baby Steps Camino, our three-day Advent sojourn of prayer, reflection, sacrifice, worship and fellowship. The word “pilgrim” comes from the Latin “peregrinus,” meaning stranger or crusader.

The Order of Malta American Association is presenting the Baby Steps Camino™, a 3-day beach-walking pilgrimage from Jacksonville Beach to Our Lady of La Leche National Shrine at Mission Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine. The Bambino Camino™ is the last two and a half miles of the pilgrimage. This “mini pilgrimage” from Vilano Beach to the Shrine is on the final day of the pilgrimage.
You reflected on "Is it an official pilgrimage?" As to whether it was official or not, that was not my question, but it is a valid question after all. Here is the answer:
On July 25, 2023, another landmark was observed, as the Cathedral de Santiago, and the Camino de Santiago International Tourist Office formally recognized the Cathedral of St. Augustine, Our Lady of La Leche National Shrine at Mission Nombre de Dios, and our Baby Steps Camino, as officially part of the Camino de Santiago, under the title of “Camino De La Unidad.” New pilgrim credentials have been created for these sites, and walking the Baby Steps Camino will now count toward the requisite miles walked in Spain to obtain the celebrated pilgrim Compostela. Even if you don’t go to Spain, you will receive our official pilgrim stamps in your official passport, and will be presented a Compostela memorializing completion of our Camino.
Be that all as it may, official or not, our Baby Steps Camino pilgrimage is still your personal passage to solace and sanctity, fidelity and fellowship, in the present day, right here on the age-old footpaths trod by our forbears in the Faith.

 

[Anthony Rocco]

Well I presume you’ve seen this https://totallystaugustine.com/july...ceremony-takes-place-in-st-augustine-florida/

Is it an official pilgrimage? Let’s not go there. The text implies that it has been recognized by the cathedral authorities in Santiago as a contributory route for those undertaking the short Camino Ingles from A Coruna. The link to the “Baby Steps” Camino didn’t work for me and I’m not inclined to pursue it

We went to St. Augustine a few months ago. We stopped by the cathedral office and they told us they have no stamp, no credential and no program. They could not describe a 25 km path. They told us that the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, just 1 mile north of the cathedral, had borrowed the stamp and never given it back! Indeed, the visitor center at the shrine has it. But they also had no idea what the 25km path is. In their view, if one brings a credential, gets their stamp and has a priest testify that one has walked 25km, that should be good enough for Santiago.

We were very disappointed. If anyone from St. Augustine has an update, please share it on Ivar.

 

[Kbmaiocco]

For anyone wanting to walk the “First Coast” Camino (50km in total, and IS officially part of the Camino) I have an update! Download the app: Camino is the Way (you can also go to caminoistheway.com but I found the app to be more informative) they have full instructions there as to the route and how to obtain your credentials.

The app is in the process of being updated to include a GPS tracker so for now they ask you take photos and track your kilometers along the way.

I’m starting it this week and will head to Spain later this month to finish it. I’ll update you all on the process

 

[Camino Joe 2021]

Thanks so much for that information. I downloaded the app and look forward to this journey.

 

[Anthony Rocco]

For anyone wanting to walk the “First Coast” Camino (50km in total, and IS officially part of the Camino) I have an update! Download the app: Camino is the Way (you can also go to caminoistheway.com but I found the app to be more informative) they have full instructions there as to the route and how to obtain your credentials.

The app is in the process of being updated to include a GPS tracker so for now they ask you take photos and track your kilometers along the way.

I’m starting it this week and will head to Spain later this month to finish it. I’ll update you all on the process

Please update us about your walk, the credential and the stamps. I know it's been recognized by Santiago, but I also heard that this and the other sanctioned walk at San Antonio still require the signature of a priest validating the 25km walked. Once again...definitive information has been sketchy. I hope you will clarify from first hand experience.

 

[Kbmaiocco]

Please update us about your walk, the credential and the stamps. I know it's been recognized by Santiago, but I also heard that this and the other sanctioned walk at San Antonio still require the signature of a priest validating the 25km walked. Once again...definitive information has been sketchy. I hope you will clarify from first hand experience.

According to the folks I’m speaking with (coordinators of American pilgrims on the camino: Jacksonville chapter) upon completion at the cathedral, you get the credential, then you head to the shrine and they’ll give you a transitory stamp (among other stamps you receive on site) that validates the distance you walked in Florida. The app will tell you more information. It’s pretty detailed

 

[HBS60]

OMG!
This is almost on my doorstep! (a 2.5 hr drive). This might be a perfect “rehearsal” before I head to Spain for my August Camino! Walking in the FL heat in July shouldn’t be that different than walking across Spain in August!

 

[Kbmaiocco]

Alright, just finished the first coast route - they’re still in the beginning phases of this process, but we followed the steps in the app guide and got our credentials and stamps! Hopefully by the time more folks do the route they’ll have the completion certificate worked out, but for now we had to contact them ahead of time so they could make it for us. Without that I’m not sure our distance will be validated in Spain. So my advice: call the Shrine Museum ahead of time, tell them you plan to walk it and need a certificate upon completion. Tell them the date you plan to complete it so they have it ready for you. If that doesn’t work, reach out to the contact numbers at caminoistheway.com or the Jacksonville chapter of American pilgrims.

 

[DGalatolo]

Does anyone know if this is an actual pilgrimage or just an official starting point? “Camino Del Mestizaje” AKA, the Baby Steps Camino. Please forward any references.

I was the first one to complete the Camino de las Americas back in April. As others have said contact the Jacksonville chapter (ask for Susan Peacock). Its a bit complicated as it is just beggining but you have to push through. When I arrived in Santiago the officials gave me a hard time but Mrs. Peacock had contacted the office ahead of time so I was finally able to find someone who could help. Hopefully now that several people have done it it will be smoother in Santiago.

 

[ginniek]

OMG!
This is almost on my doorstep! (a 2.5 hr drive). This might be a perfect “rehearsal” before I head to Spain for my August Camino! Walking in the FL heat in July shouldn’t be that different than walking across Spain in August!

Where do you live? I'm also about 2.5 hours from Jacksonville, pretty much due north.

 

[ginniek]

I've been on their email list for a while, and they do have special walks at holidays. Even though I'm not far away, the timing hasn't worked for me. And I really enjoy St. Augustine, which seems to rise above the touristic stuff quite nicely. The beach in this area is also nice, and not over-developed.

If anyone from this group is ever going to do the beach walk, please let me know, and maybe I can join you there. And you can join me before or after for a saunter on a nice rail trail that runs very close to my back yard.

 

[HuffyCane]

I've been on their email list for a while, and they do have special walks at holidays. Even though I'm not far away, the timing hasn't worked for me. And I really enjoy St. Augustine, which seems to rise above the touristic stuff quite nicely. The beach in this area is also nice, and not over-developed.

If anyone from this group is ever going to do the beach walk, please let me know, and maybe I can join you there. And you can join me before or after for a saunter on a nice rail trail that runs very close to my back yard.

Registration is open on the website for the December walk.

 

[IdaL]

Hi, I'm interested in doing the 1st Camino in FL. Where did you spend overnights on the trail? I'm not familiar with FL. Tx.

 

[Anthony Rocco]

Does anyone know if this is an actual pilgrimage or just an official starting point? “Camino Del Mestizaje” AKA, the Baby Steps Camino. Please forward any references.

Let me clarify everything.

First, nomenclature. There are two Camino names for walking the same path. The Baby Steps Camino which has its own credentials and certificate (see attached) and the Camino de la Unidad which has a credential issued by Santiago. I attached a photo of this in an earlier posting. The name Camino Mestizaje name has been dropped as being potentially offensive.

Second, the Baby Steps Camino is a Camino of its own, even though it is the same walk. But this walk only takes place once a year in mid-December. The arrangements and management are second to none...and it's free...gratis!

Third, the Camino de la Unidad is officially recognized by Santiago as qualifying for 25km walked to Santiago. There are others like this, in San Antonio here in the US. This means that my long delayed walk of the Camino Ingles from O Coruna, the age old route, can now be done rather than starting in Ferrol. I plan to start in A Coruña in May.