A guide book from a Christian Perspective ?

[Alasdair Kay]

Hi I am doing the Camino Frances from StJPDP to StDC in May June 2016 as a Sabbatical ... I am an Anglican Priest and I am doing it as a Pilgrimage and wondered if there was a guidebook, journal, kindle book, pdf blog other than Brierely that people would recommend. I have read a couple of books by people but in every case they were either a New Ager or weren't walking the Pilgrimage for a specifically Christian reason. not that theirs was a bad reason just not the reason I am walking the Camino...
Secondly are there any particular churches, Pilgrim's masses, or Albergues you would say make sure you stop there... Appreciate any and all advice.

Gracias ...

Pax et Bonum T

Fr Alasdair

 

[spursfan]

Joyce Rupp's book is a good place to start
http://www.joycerupp.com/WalkRelaxed.htm

I'm reluctant to pick out any particular churches or masses along the way - much better just to find a local church/mass/convent when you stop for the evening - or even just take pot luck as you're passing any churches during the day

 

[MTtoCamino]

I have not found one, only books by Christians. That said the pilgramage is so personal that the Holy Spirit will keep you. Yet the other pilgrims of other faith are a blessing. I wish you the best.
Buen Camino
Keith

 

[oursonpolaire]

I have seen criticism of Brierley as being overly spiritual, so you might look there. For a meditative book, there is Mennonite Arthur Boers' The Way is Made By Walking, which I know some people like. Gitlitz and Davidson's Historical and Cultural Guide will provide you with some useful information on local saints (Toribio of Astorga, Domingo de la Calzada, etc) and iconography in churches along the way. Memorable services may well depend on your state of mind that day, and where you happen to end up, but I have heard people cite Roncesvalles, Rabanal, and Granon, as having services worth looking out for. There are many small churches along the way which bear visiting. A very idiosyncratic approach can be found at http://shipoffools.com/mystery/specials/camino/index.html

 

[Mark Lee]

Maybe carry the maps only guide of the Camino for physical direction, and the Christian book of your choice for spiritual direction. Morph the two together.
As far as pilgrim's masses go, there is one at Roncesvalles specifically for the pilgrim's, and you will run across so many small churches in the rural villages that have mass as well. My personal favorite was the pilgrim's mass in Carrion de los Condes at the church of Santa Maria del Camino. The sisters run the albergue adjacent and are an awesome group of ladies. There is a communal dinner every night and lot's of singing. A can't miss type of thing to me.
Cheers Father.

 

[Deleted member 36903]

The services at Rabanal (and stay at the Gaucelmo albergue there), Tricastella and O Cereibro come to mind as being what you have in mind.
Buen Camino!

 

[DurhamParish]

My recommendation for a church experience. You might check to see if you will be in Santo Domingo on May the 12th for the Feast Day of Santo Domingo de la Calzada.

 

[christy wharton]

Hi I am doing the Camino Frances from StJPDP to StDC in May June 2016 as a Sabbatical ... I am an Anglican Priest and I am doing it as a Pilgrimage and wondered if there was a guidebook, journal, kindle book, pdf blog other than Brierely that people would recommend. I have read a couple of books by people but in every case they were either a New Ager or weren't walking the Pilgrimage for a specifically Christian reason. not that theirs was a bad reason just not the reason I am walking the Camino...
Secondly are there any particular churches, Pilgrim's masses, or Albergues you would say make sure you stop there... Appreciate any and all advice.

Gracias ...

Pax et Bonum T

Fr Alasdair

Samos Monastery has a special regular Pilgrim Mass and blesing. It has its own Albergue and cloister tour--donativo.

 

[mspath]

Fr Alasdair,

Perhaps you would find helpful what others and I have written in this earlier thread re many monasteries on the Camino Frances. https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/monasteries-for-pilgrims.35879/

Buen camino!
Margaret Meredith

 

[Kitsambler]

... I ...wondered if there was a guidebook, journal, kindle book, pdf blog other than Brierely that people would recommend.

Rev. Jim Friedrich, an Anglican priest in our parish, made the Camino pilgrimage recently and wrote some lovely posts on his blog, The Religious Imagineer here http://jimfriedrich.com/ You may want to contact him directly for a fertile conversation.
I've also found Philip Newell's books, especially his classic Celtic Prayers from Iona, to be very valuable while on pilgrimage.

 

[Introibo]

Hiking the Camino : 500 miles with Jesus by Fr Dave Pivonka. A priest's account of his Camino walked
to thank God for allowing him to be a priest was a good read.
Redemption Road : Grieving on the Camino by Fr. Brendan McManus S.J. An excellent account of a man
trying to understand and come to terms with his brother Donal's suicide.

Buen Camino Father

 

[Alasdair Kay]

Hiking the Camino : 500 miles with Jesus by Fr Dave Pivonka. A priest's account of his Camino walked
to thank God for allowing him to be a priest was a good read.
Redemption Road : Grieving on the Camino by Fr. Brendan McManus S.J. An excellent account of a man
trying to understand and come to terms with his brother Donal's suicide.

Buen Camino Father

 

[Alasdair Kay]

thanks for this my Br excellent suggestions many thanks.. I fond reading my way towards the Camino as well as walking my way in terms of training as well as prolonged time in contemplative prayer are helping me to prepare well...

 

[Alasdair Kay]

Hi I am doing the Camino Frances from StJPDP to StDC in May June 2016 as a Sabbatical ... I am an Anglican Priest and I am doing it as a Pilgrimage and wondered if there was a guidebook, journal, kindle book, pdf blog other than Brierely that people would recommend. I have read a couple of books by people but in every case they were either a New Ager or weren't walking the Pilgrimage for a specifically Christian reason. not that theirs was a bad reason just not the reason I am walking the Camino...
Secondly are there any particular churches, Pilgrim's masses, or Albergues you would say make sure you stop there... Appreciate any and all advice.

Gracias ...

Pax et Bonum T

Fr Alasdair

thank you all of you for your suggestions I am checking those one I can get on Kindle out as they will be helpful to me to take with me.. Pax et Bonum T Fr Alasdair

 

[basquelady]

Joyce Rupp's book is a good place to start
http://www.joycerupp.com/WalkRelaxed.htm

I'm reluctant to pick out any particular churches or masses along the way - much better just to find a local church/mass/convent when you stop for the evening - or even just take pot luck as you're passing any churches during the day

I highly recommend Joyce Rupp's book. Also, I think you would enjoy this video, linked from here: http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent/hoarty-13.html. Very encouraging but realistic and thoughtful.

 

[David]

Might be time for one to be written!!

Do visit Los Arcos church for evening Mass. The priest is a delight, a good man, and has learnt quite a few phrases in various languages. After Mass he calls pilgrims to the side rail, hands out pilgrim prayer cards in their languages, and blesses them.

 

[Priscilla NC]

I just finished a great book about a priest's journey along the Camino Frances -- To The Field of Stars by Kevin Codd. Excellent book, and he talks about some of the masses he attended on his journey. I highly recommend.

Buen Camino, Fr. Alasdair!
Priscilla

 

[jmcarp]

A few random thoughts:
I second the suggestions for Sr Joyce Rupp's and Fr Dave Pivonka's books.
We attended pilgrim Masses at Roncesvalles, Logroño (Santiago Real), Burgos (Cathedral), Grañon, León (San Isidoro), Triacastela, and of course, Santiago (Cathedral). Overall, we were able to attend Mass on average three times a week, but not all were "pilgrim Masses." All, of course were in Spanish, except we attended a Latin-rite High Mass in the cathedral at Pamplona on the Feast of the Assumption (August 15).
Also, Liturgy of the Hours at the convent in Rabé de las Calzadas and the 7pm Gregorian chant and vespers at Rabanal.
For sheer beauty of gothic architecture, the cathedrals at León and Burgos are hard to beat, and the essentially Romanesque grandeur of the Santiago cathedral is mind-blowing. Every city of consequence has a basilica church or cathedral, but don't miss the simple beauty of so many smaller village and small town churches as well. Many of the churches, eben in the smaller towns and villages and particularly along the first half of the CF, may seem sparse on the outside, but once inside have amazing baroque retablos in the sanctuaries -- obviously added since the original construction.

 

[oursonpolaire]

The liturgist will not want to miss the chance of attending a mass of the Mozarabic rite at the Basilica of San Isidro in Leon. Specific times are listed on its website.

 

[Castilian]

Secondly are there any particular churches, Pilgrim's masses, or Albergues you would say make sure you stop there...

You might be interested in knowing there's an Anglican parish in Pamplona: www.anglicanos.org/web_iglesia_anglicana/g_general/g_sit_iglesia_anglicana_espana.html

All, of course were in Spanish, except we attended a Latin-rite High Mass in the cathedral at Pamplona on the Feast of the Assumption (August 15).

You could have attended mass in Basque (e.g.: in Pamplona) and in Galician (e.g.: in Santiago de Compostela) if you had been interested. Every Sunday, there's a tridentine mass (in Latin) in Pamplona. And during the scholar year, there's a mass in English at the chapel of the clínica universitaria in Pamplona at 17:00. Someone (oursonpolaire?) said on other thread there was a church in León where you could attend mass in Leonese but I can't provide you info about that one.

 

[JennyH94]

The services at Rabanal (and stay at the Gaucelmo albergue there), Tricastella and O Cereibro come to mind as being what you have in mind.
Buen Camino!

Hi Fr Alasdair and SEB -
As SEB knows, each afternoon at around 4.30, the volunteer hospitaleros at Refugio Gaucelmo serve afternoon tea for the pilgrims who stay there. Generally one of the priests from the monastery next door joins the group. It's a wonderful time in the afternoon, with much conversation and laughter. Often the priest will ask a few of the pilgrims to read at Vespers that evening, which is a huge privilege. Try to stay at Gaucelmo if you can - you'll find it to be a very special refugio.
Take joy in every step -
Jenny

 

[Jo Ann Rademacher]

Hi I am doing the Camino Frances from StJPDP to StDC in May June 2016 as a Sabbatical ... I am an Anglican Priest and I am doing it as a Pilgrimage and wondered if there was a guidebook, journal, kindle book, pdf blog other than Brierely that people would recommend. I have read a couple of books by people but in every case they were either a New Ager or weren't walking the Pilgrimage for a specifically Christian reason. not that theirs was a bad reason just not the reason I am walking the Camino...
Secondly are there any particular churches, Pilgrim's masses, or Albergues you would say make sure you stop there... Appreciate any and all advice.

Gracias ...

Pax et Bonum T

Fr Alasdair

Fr. Dave Pivonka's book, "500 miles with Jesus" and Fr. Kevin Codd's book, "To The Field of Stars" are good reads from the perspective of clergy. However, they are not guidebooks. I believe they are both available as ebooks.

¡Ultreia!

 

[Kanga]

We stayed at the simple albergue in the ruins of San Anton (just before Castrojeriz). It was a wonderful night, a great candlelit communal dinner, and in the morning we walked over the fields to attend the mass at the Monastery of Santa Clara, which now houses a closed convent of Poor Clares. I am a protestant, and my companion an atheist, but we both throught (in our different ways) it was a stunningly beautiful service, conducted by two young priests with glorious voices, accompanied by the nuns. Definitely not to be missed.

 

[Maryimelda]

As someone mentioned above, there are churches along the camino and I guess all over the world that look very ordinary from the outside but take your breath away when you walk through the door. One that really springs to mind with me is the Church of San Saturnino on Calle San Saturnino in Pamplona. Poke your head in the door Father and I guarantee that you will go in and spend quite some time there before you emerge. It's on the main street through the Old Town and very easy to find.
Buen Camino

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I just picked up "Mille fois à Compostelle" by medievalist Adeline Rucquoi who specialises on medieval times in the Iberic penninsula. It's in French though, and not a guide. And certainly not a novel: you should the number of footnotes at the bottom of each page. Cannot wait to get started reading it.

 

[Alasdair Kay]

A few random thoughts:
I second the suggestions for Sr Joyce Rupp's and Fr Dave Pivonka's books.
We attended pilgrim Masses at Roncesvalles, Logroño (Santiago Real), Burgos (Cathedral), Grañon, León (San Isidoro), Triacastela, and of course, Santiago (Cathedral). Overall, we were able to attend Mass on average three times a week, but not all were "pilgrim Masses." All, of course were in Spanish, except we attended a Latin-rite High Mass in the cathedral at Pamplona on the Feast of the Assumption (August 15).
Also, Liturgy of the Hours at the convent in Rabé de las Calzadas and the 7pm Gregorian chant and vespers at Rabanal.
For sheer beauty of gothic architecture, the cathedrals at León and Burgos are hard to beat, and the essentially Romanesque grandeur of the Santiago cathedral is mind-blowing. Every city of consequence has a basilica church or cathedral, but don't miss the simple beauty of so many smaller village and small town churches as well. Many of the churches, eben in the smaller towns and villages and particularly along the first half of the CF, may seem sparse on the outside, but once inside have amazing baroque retablos in the sanctuaries -- obviously added since the original construction.

thanks that is extremely helpful T Pax et Bonum

 

[Alasdair Kay]

We stayed at the simple albergue in the ruins of San Anton (just before Castrojeriz). It was a wonderful night, a great candlelit communal dinner, and in the morning we walked over the fields to attend the mass at the Monastery of Santa Clara, which now houses a closed convent of Poor Clares. I am a protestant, and my companion an atheist, but we both throught (in our different ways) it was a stunningly beautiful service, conducted by two young priests with glorious voices, accompanied by the nuns. Definitely not to be missed.

Thank you for that I am a Franciscan so to link with the Poor Clares will be great

 

[rappahannock_rev]

Buen Camino, hermano.

 

[rappahannock_rev]

We stayed at the simple albergue in the ruins of San Anton (just before Castrojeriz). It was a wonderful night, a great candlelit communal dinner, and in the morning we walked over the fields to attend the mass at the Monastery of Santa Clara, which now houses a closed convent of Poor Clares. I am a protestant, and my companion an atheist, but we both throught (in our different ways) it was a stunningly beautiful service, conducted by two young priests with glorious voices, accompanied by the nuns. Definitely not to be missed.

Dead on right! I could not possibly walk the Frances again and omit it!

 

[akula415]

I know this is a rather older thread but I would wanna suggest these to to begin with. Both come from the United Kingdom. And they are excellent. Both do not take an extraordinary amount of time to read. And they are devoid of more new age type of memoirs such as Shirley MacLaine's book. These slender volumes contain historical as well as practical information. They would also appeal to seekers and religious audiences. Johnnie Walker's book is the newest of the two.