Daily Mass on the Camino

LauraJeanneJellyBean · Mar 30, 2017

Hi all!

I don't know if this has already been asked but I couldn't find it. I am going to be walking the Camino this June and I would really like to be able to go to a catholic mass as often as I can. I was wondering if there was anyone that had been on the Camino that would be able to give me more information on how easy it was to make it to mass on the Camino.

Thank you!

Bala · Mar 30, 2017

Welcome to the forum, LauraJean! My experience from SJPP to Burgos was that at the "main" pilgrim stages I got to mass daily. The 2 times we were between "stages," no. But that was in October. There may be more during the more heavily travelled months.

Masses are usually in the evening, 7-7:30 pm range, and we found times posted on the doors. You can also ask at your albergue or hostel. Pilgrims were in the prayers of the congregation and, without exception, there was a pilgrim blessing at the end, each unique and very special. I found it quite moving that night after night the people of the communities were praying for the safety and well-being of all of us on the journey.

There have been a number of threads on finding mass and a search should bring up even more information for you. Buen Camino!

LauraJeanneJellyBean · Mar 30, 2017

Bala said:
Welcome to the forum, LauraJean! My experience from SJPP to Burgos was that at the "main" pilgrim stages I got to mass daily. The 2 times we were between "stages," no. But that was in October. There may be more during the more heavily travelled months.

Masses are usually in the evening, 7-7:30 pm range, and we found times posted on the doors. You can also ask at your albergue or hostel. Pilgrims were in the prayers of the congregation and, without exception, there was a pilgrim blessing at the end, each unique and very special. I found it quite moving that night after night the people of the communities were praying for the safety and well-being of all of us on the journey.

There have been a number of threads on finding mass and a search should bring up even more information for you. Buen Camino!

Wow thank you so much! That is so encouraging to hear and as I have looked more I did find a couple of the threads that talked about it more!

mspath · Mar 30, 2017

This map and data show parish locations along some caminos
https://goo.gl/maps/nWoouE7tUxR2.

Buen camino!

timr · Mar 31, 2017

Hello @LauraJeanneJellyBean and welcome to the forum.
I am a priest, and usually(!

) look for Mass when I am walking. I would say I am generally surprised at how often it can be found along the Frances. It clearly depends on the size of the place you stay, but up to perhaps 3 days out of 4. I am not a great "plan ahead-er" and usually end up where I end up. Always worth asking the hospitalero. There is more often than not a sign on the noticeboard in albergue, (it may be under others.) I guess hotels have information, but I don't know too much about hotels. If there is an evening Mass, it is as @Bala says above usually 7 or 7:30 or 8. Without exception I would say the priest has been welcoming to visitors. Many times a touching effort is made to welcome pilgrims, usually with a blessing at the end. Some places will get someone to do the first reading in English or Italian or French. It obviously depends on the priest.
In places where Mass is in the morning - thinking particularly of Sahagun and Leon Benedictine sisters and Rabanal Benedictine priests there is generally evening prayer of some type. Leon, Sahagun and Rabanal very special in this regard and you can go if you are not staying in the monastery. Always worth looking into any parochial albergue even if not staying at it. They will likely have a blessing or evening prayer. Places like Carillon do los Condes have a pilgrim blessing and mass in the evening not to be missed.
On Norte, and Portugues I found much less availability outside of cities. Likewise Primitivo and Baztan.
Also on Sunday mornings listen out for bells - you may well pass through some tiny place having Mass at 8 or 9 or 10 or 11.
Buen Camino!

oursonpolaire · Mar 31, 2017

Like timr, I found it trickier to find masses along the Primitivo and also the del Norte outside towns, let alone on really really obscure Caminos such as the Vadiniense and Catalan, but they are there and often when one would like them to be. While I have run into perhaps two clergy along the Camino who were not welcoming, overall the Camino seems to be populated by thoughtful and receptive priests. Generally hospitaleros or barmen or little old ladies will know when masses are happening or will be able to find out for you-- the novel notion of posting times seems only to operate in Galicia. You may find that some villagers will not know when services are, for Spain features both believers and non-believers, and there are still sensitivities related to the Civil War, but if they don't know, they will find out for you.

I found that astonishingly many pilgrim mass-goers were not RC, but were grateful for the pause in the day, and the welcome of local people, while their approaches to the religious aspect was all over the map. One is able to enter into the life of a community in a vertical manner, and I have encountered many cheering words and gestures from them.

nycwalking · Mar 31, 2017

I am Episcopalian and found RC mass on C.F. quite nice. On Camino number two, I attended nearly everyday. If you go to Samos, after evening service ask the priest if you can attend their private service. It is quietly spectacular, the monks chant, nice. A priest in Granon, gave me a printout of service with Spanish on one side English on other so I could follow along. The more you attend, the more surprises you'll find within parish walls: a tour, pilgrim's mass, beautiful architecture, many spiritual gifts.
Buen camino

SYates · Mar 31, 2017

http://www.misas.org/ is your friend for finding out mass times, they also offer a free download to bilingual mass books here http://www.misas.org/docs/ordinario-idiomas
Buen Camino, SY

JabbaPapa · Mar 31, 2017

You might need to do some organising of your Camino around the Mass and even then there will be some days when no Mass is available, but with a little effort and some sacrifice of the "optimal" walking hours, the intention at least can be aimed for.

timr · Mar 31, 2017

oursonpolaire said:
I found that astonishingly many pilgrim mass-goers were not RC, but were grateful for the pause in the day, and the welcome of local people, while their approaches to the religious aspect was all over the map. One is able to enter into the life of a community in a vertical manner, and I have encountered many cheering words and gestures from them.

Absolutely my experience too and one of the special gifts and opportunities of the camino.

nycwalking said:
The more you attend, the more surprises you'll find within parish walls: a tour, pilgrim's mass, beautiful architecture, many spiritual gifts.
Buen camino

And yes another comment I agree with 100%

Jukebox · Mar 31, 2017

Hello all,
I am planning to walk over Easter 2017, I leave next week! Do you think there would be an evening Mass on Easter Sunday, or would they do a vigil Mass Saturday evening? I'm very excited! Thank you.

JohnnieWalker · Mar 31, 2017

Jukebox - it depends where you are at Easter - there may be a Vigil and/or Easter Sunday Mass - in smaller places there may be neither.

jmcarp · Mar 31, 2017

timr said:
...
In places where Mass is in the morning - thinking particularly of Sahagun and Leon Benedictine sisters and Rabanal...

One plus regarding the morning Mass at Rabanal is that after the Mass you can take a leisurely stroll up to Foncebadón--only a couple of hours--then get up early the next morning and be at the Cruz de Ferro at sunrise, beating the crowds later in the morning. Seeing the sun first light the cross, then work its way down the pole is an inspirational sight in itself. Then, depending on your pace, you could finish the day in Molinaseca.