Midway certificate?

[James Dumyat Savage]

An experienced pilgrim mentioned a certificate available midway between the French border and Santiago on the French Way. Has anyone else heard of that or have details about it?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

A long time ago, critically ill pilgrims could get a Compostela in Villafranca del Bierzo. Now you can get a sello in your credencial. That may be what you heard about.

At the Iglesia de Santiago:

The archivolt and portal, Puerta del Perdón. In ancient times, if a pilgrim was very ill, they were allowed to enter through this portal, and were given a special blessing and pardon.

 

[Markitect]

An experienced pilgrim mentioned a certificate available midway between the French border and Santiago on the French Way. Has anyone else heard of that or have details about it?

 

[MuireM]

James,
Markitect is right, I got a 'carta peregrina' in Sahagun last year, you need to go to the church on the hill, which appears to be an exhibition centre,
check the opening hours as they vary. There was an interesting exhibition of architectural models on when we were there. Just outside Sahagun there is a
stone which states that that point is the dead centre of the Camino.
I also got a stamp in Madrid this year in St James church, again you have to go after mass and the priest will stamp your pilgrim passport. We are doing
the Camino in stages and flew into and out of Madrid this year. I don't know how well known it is that the stamp is available here, we asked at several
of the historical sites such as the Palace before we were told where to go.

 

[BShea]

I shared a room with a woman who got the half way certificate in Sahagun. It was very beautiful, quite impressive, written in calligraphy, including her name. I have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed with my Santiago certificate after seeing her 1/2 way certificate. But I'm sure the number of certificates issued in Santiago and the long lines makes it impossible to match that quality.

 

[James Dumyat Savage]

Thank you, all! It is indeed beautiful: http://sahagundigital.com/upload/img/periodico/img_4989.jpg

 

[Alan Pearce]

James,
Markitect is right, I got a 'carta peregrina' in Sahagun last year, you need to go to the church on the hill, which appears to be an exhibition centre,
check the opening hours as they vary. There was an interesting exhibition of architectural models on when we were there. Just outside Sahagun there is a
stone which states that that point is the dead centre of the Camino.
I also got a stamp in Madrid this year in St James church, again you have to go after mass and the priest will stamp your pilgrim passport. We are doing
the Camino in stages and flew into and out of Madrid this year. I don't know how well known it is that the stamp is available here, we asked at several
of the historical sites such as the Palace before we were told where to go.

Not only is a stamp available at the Iglesia Santiago y San Juan in Madrid, but also a distinctive and attractive credential.
Sean [from Ireland] and myself got the credentials there on May 6th this year before walking the Camino de Madrid, as per my post on the Madrid camino forum.

Alan

Be brave. Life is joyous.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Well, I guess this document does tell us where the CF starts, since it tells us where the midpoint is. So much for those who say there is no suc thing as a starting point!

 

[James Dumyat Savage]

The text refers to the geographic centre of the French Way as laid out in the Codex Calixtinus. It does not seem to make the broader claim that the French Way is THE Way.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

The text refers to the geographic centre of the French Way as laid out in the Codex Calixtinus. It does not seem to make the broader claim that the French Way is THE Way.

It's still refering to some particular point being the strart, no matter where that is. No?

 

[mspath]

James,
Markitect is right, I got a 'carta peregrina' in Sahagun last year, you need to go to the church on the hill, which appears to be an exhibition centre,
check the opening hours as they vary. There was an interesting exhibition of architectural models on when we were there. ....

That hilltop complex, originally a Franciscan monastery, is known as the Sanctuario de la Peregrina.

 

[rappahannock_rev]

Very interesting! Does it require a display of sellos proving you've actually walked the entire first half of the Camino Frances in order to obtain this beauty? Or is just visiting the Sanctuario sufficient?

(I ask because I expect to be in Sahagun in September, but I'm starting this Camino in Los Arcos/Logrono, rather than in SJPdeP/Roncesvalles.)

 

[Anemone del Camino]

If you read it it only recognises the fact that you been to Sahagun, the mid-point of the CF. The way it is written one would think all you have to do is show up although it does mak references to Sahagun wanting to be remembered as a place where rest was offered.

 

[Markitect]

Very interesting! Does it require a display of sellos proving you've actually walked the entire first half of the Camino Frances in order to obtain this beauty? Or is just visiting the Sanctuario sufficient?

(I ask because I expect to be in Sahagun in September, but I'm starting this Camino in Los Arcos/Logrono, rather than in SJPdeP/Roncesvalles.)

I showed my Pilgrim Passport to get a credential stamp and was given the 'very beautiful' numbered Carta Peregrina after a visit to the exhibition at the Sanctuario. I believe that the the Carta only signifies a pilgrims arrival at the halfway point or geographical centre of the CdSdC, nothing more than that. Mine was numbered 4441. Buen Camino

 

[rappahannock_rev]

There are so many great things to see in Sahagun (e.g., the tomb of Alfonso VI!) that I hadn't originally planned to visit this Sanctuario. But I will now!

My thanks!

 

[carolinegleeson]

This is what it looks like

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I have translated the certificate as:

Let all know seeing this Pilgrim Certificate that [name] has passed through the Leonese lands of Sahagun, geographical center of the Camino Frances, where, as reported in the Codex Calixtinus, "... prodigous in all types of goods, one encounters the meadow, of which they say that in days gone by, the shining lances that the victorious warriors had thurst into the ground for the glory of the Lord came to life again." and it further attests that he has found rest for the fatigues of the body and relief for the spirit.

The inhabitants of this noble town give him encouragement to continue his camino and to arrive with safe passage at the house of the Lord Saint James, where we hope he retains a memory of the reception we have given him.

And for a record that can be presented before whoever demands it I sign this in Sahagun, on the [day] of [month] of the year of our Lord [year]

The Mayor.

[name]

Jacobean Pilgrims' Association Region of Sahagun

- Leon -

Pilgrim Certificate [number]

 

[notion900]

I always thought Carrión de los Condes was the mid point? That's why it's called Carrión.
Boom boom.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

About the meadow in the first paragraph of the certificate:

The story is that when Charlemagne (and Roland?) campaigned against the Moors in Spain there was a battle near Sahagun. The night before the battle the knights thurst their lances into the earth. In the morning the knights that were to die in battle that day found their lances had sprouted into trees showing them that they would have eternal life.

Cynics may say that the knights died in battle because trees make lousy lances.

The story of the lances is depicted in a stained glass window in Chartres Cathedral:

​

Chartres Cathedral's window depicting the legends of Charlemagne and Roland http://www.medievalart.org.uk/Chartres/07_pages/Chartres_Bay07_key.htm​

​

Panel 09 - St James appears to Charlemagne in a dream http://www.medievalart.org.uk/Chartres/07_pages/Chartres_Bay07_Panel09.htm​

​

Panel 15 - The Miracle of the Flowering Lances http://www.medievalart.org.uk/Chartres/07_pages/Chartres_Bay07_Panel15.htm​

​

 

[Bala]

Beautiful! What a lovely encouragement from the "noble inhabitants" of Sahagun. It is a town where I did indeed find "rest for the fatigues of the body and relief of the spirit."

Personally, I think I like my halfway certificate a bit more than even my Compostela. Maybe it was just something about that particular day, the beauty of the meseta, and the warm welcome from the priests at Monastery Santa Cruz that bring back such a glow of happy memories. But it's a rather special document for me.

I knew the gist of it, and kept meaning to have someone translate in full, but I never got around to it. Many thanks for the translation.