- Time of past OR future Camino
- 23:Valença Var Espiritual Apr; Norte Cudillero Oct
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If true it’s the logical end point of those who ask ‘what’s the minimum distance to gain a Compostela?’ or use various options to make their holiday easier.It makes you wonder who buys these and why?
I agree. I read the article and I, too, tend to think that this is a made-up social media story. It's summer - in German this is called Sauregurkenzeit, and in English apparently Silly Season although I've never heard this expression. It is a period in the summer months known for frivolous news stories in the mass media because there are not many other proper news. Everybody is on holiday.Sounds like an urban legend, but then again I wouldn’t put it past some people. The odd thing, though, is why go through effort when it would be far easier to simply fake the Compostela itself?
I should have looked myself instead of asking the question here. It was easy to find. It is this link:Does anyone know in which Facebook group the "responsables" from a "punto de información de Lalín" published this narrative?
Punto de Información al Peregrino en Lalin (on Facebook)
Found it, I think. The screenshot of the offer of a stamped credencial for €30 looks like it is from the Spanish website Wallapop where signed-up members can buy and sell stuff. I can't find a current offer for such a credencial on it but there was at least one such offer in the past. Unfortunately, the web crawling bots did not see it and did not save it so there is no trace of it on the WayBack Machine. But I am now willing to believe a significant part of the recent news article.The Lalín FB group posted the screenshot shown below. Can anyone identify the platform?
View attachment 176787
I am trying to put myself into the shoes - or rather the minds - of potential buyers. Who would buy such a credencial and why? For €30? You have to be physically present in Santiago because you have to register on the Pilgrim Office website and then march there to get your Compostela.Now the people that have no interest in actually doing the walk and just want the piece of paper for their wall don't need to bother the others.
I am trying to put myself into the shoes - or rather the minds - of potential buyers. Who would buy such a credencial and why?
Not the same reasons. Not the same mindset. Nobody between the years 1000 and 1600 framed their Compostela and hung it on the wall of their living room. And I severely doubt that many peregrinos between 1990 and 2024 took their Compostela home and to their parish priest to prove that they had fulfilled an obligation imposed on them by their priest in the confessional before their departure to Spain. In particular not the potential clients of a €30 stamped credencial. They may not have seen their priest for decades. If they are even Catholic, whether practising or lapsed. The Camino of today is not the Way to Saint James in Galicia of hundreds of year ago.I'm amazed that people will still pay for such fakes today.
I was refused a credencial in SJPDP in 1990. One of the reasons given was that I had not brought a letter of introduction from a Catholic priest to verify my bona fide pilgrim status.And I severely doubt that many peregrinos between 1990 and 2024 took their Compostela home and to their parish priest to prove that they had fulfilled an obligation imposed on them by their priest in the confessional.
Make it "between 1991 and 2024" thenI was refused a credencial in SJPDP in 1990. One of the reasons given was that I had not brought a letter of introduction from a Catholic priest to verify my bona fide pilgrim status.
Disk spacewe are waisting valuable disk space
It is definitely true. The original post I saw was on Facebook by the person who reported this (amigo David in Lalín). His post was subsequently reposted in every Camino group I belong to (way too many!).Sounds like an urban legend, but then again I wouldn’t put it past some people. The odd thing, though, is why go through effort when it would be far easier to simply fake the Compostela itself?
Years ago I was volunteering like hospitalero at Samos monastery's albergue. Two buses full of tourists arrived and till they were massively herded to the churh, two of the guides come to me carrying maybe a hundred blank credentials asking for the "sello". I told them I couldn't stamp those credentials because there where not names on them and because I knew that the tourist would walk for five klmtrs and taken again by buses in two hours to go to Sarria, have lunch, visit the town and keep going by bus to their hotel.I agree. I read the article and I, too, tend to think that this is a made-up social media story. It's summer - in German this is called Sauregurkenzeit, and in English apparently Silly Season although I've never heard this expression. It is a period in the summer months known for frivolous news stories in the mass media because there are not many other proper news. Everybody is on holiday.
Does anyone know in which Facebook group the "responsables" from a "punto de información de Lalín" published this narrative? I just love the total anonymity of the article. Not a single name is quoted as source. Not even from the archbishopric. I'm sure, though, of course that the author asked "someone" there ...
The whole narrative hinges on the assumption that there is a demand for readily stamped credentials. There is a wide-spread belief that Spaniards need a Compostela to get a job, especially young people. I don't think that it has ever established whether this is actually a fact for the employment market in Spain.
I am not yet buying it ... I mean the story and not the credencial.
Thanks, gives me a idea how to earn a few Euros. Seriously, my thoughts like everyone else, why?Denuncian la venta de credenciales en Lalín para obtener la compostela sin hacer el Camino
El Arzobispado de Santiago pide que los puntos de sellado estén alerta ante estas prácticaswww.lavozdegalicia.es
Thank you for sharing your experience, sad as it is. I would not call you judgmental, I would call your account very credible. The managers of these tour companies ought to be ashamed of themselves. The system of awarding a Compostela is based on honesty and these people are dishonest. I would not necessarily say the same about the people on the bus, they may not even be aware of the finer details of who is entitled to a Compostela and who is not.The guide offered me a "donation" of fifthy euros for the use of the stamp, but when I told him no, he said "OK, your choose. I'll find some place less purist than you.
Yes, there are ways and ways of "walking" the camino.
And yes, there are ways of buying and selling credentials. Since many years it is the way many tours companies guarantee to theirs customers that they will obtain the "oficial certificate".
Now call me judgmental.
"There is a wide-spread belief that Spaniards need a Compostela to get a job, especially young people. I don't think that it has ever established whether this is actually a fact for the employment market in Spain."I agree. I read the article and I, too, tend to think that this is a made-up social media story. It's summer - in German this is called Sauregurkenzeit, and in English apparently Silly Season although I've never heard this expression. It is a period in the summer months known for frivolous news stories in the mass media because there are not many other proper news. Everybody is on holiday.
Does anyone know in which Facebook group the "responsables" from a "punto de información de Lalín" published this narrative? I just love the total anonymity of the article. Not a single name is quoted as source. Not even from the archbishopric. I'm sure, though, of course that the author asked "someone" there ...
The whole narrative hinges on the assumption that there is a demand for readily stamped credentials. There is a wide-spread belief that Spaniards need a Compostela to get a job, especially young people. I don't think that it has ever established whether this is actually a fact for the employment market in Spain.
I am not yet buying it ... I mean the story and not the credencial.
Make it "between 1991 and 2024" then. The fact is that one can get a credencial without ever having set foot into a church or the office of a priest or vicar. You can get it from the forum store. You can get a Compostela without confession and absolution - that part of the Latin text was removed from the Compostela text a long time ago. We don't live in the Middle Ages and things are just not the same as they were then.
Somehow, for some reason, I can’t quite shake a vision of a nicely dressed, clean booted, sweat free, pilgrim stood at the Gate clutching their Compostela and hearing St Pete bellow “You are ‘aving a giraffe son!”. “See you next time, and try a bit harder…”Years ago (April 2016) I was volunteering at Samos albergue. One day, two buses full of tourists arribed, all of them carrying a very small yellow pack with theirs picnic. They massi
Years ago I was volunteering like hospitalero at Samos monastery's albergue. Two buses full of tourist arribed and till they were massively herded to the churh, two of the guides come to me carrying maybe a hundred blank credentials asking for the "sello". I told them I couldn't stamp those credentials because there where not names on them and because I knew that the tourist would walk for five klmtrs and raken again by buses in two hours to go to Sarria, have lunch, visit the town and keep going by bus to their hotel.
(I had heard a woman telling to a group of her friends).
The guide offered me a "donation" of fifthy euros for the use of the stamp, but when I told him no, he said "OK, your choose. I'll find some place less purist than you.
Yes, there are ways and ways of "walking" the camino.
And yes, there are ways of buying and selling credentials. Since many years it is the way many tours companies guarantee to theirs customers that they will obtain the "oficial certificate".
Now call me judgmental.
Reincarnation? A whole new can of worms....“See you next time, and try a bit harder…”
With so many people pouring into heaven I am sure God does not have time to notice that my Camino credentials are fake as I will be looking as pious and humble as possible as I go by Him. ChuckIt makes you wonder who buys these and why?
I was speaking with a veteran Camino walker in Oloron St Marie the another day and he mentioned that young people in Spain want a credential on their resume. I was surprised as I had never heard of that before.I agree. I read the article and I, too, tend to think that this is a made-up social media story. It's summer - in German this is called Sauregurkenzeit, and in English apparently Silly Season although I've never heard this expression. It is a period in the summer months known for frivolous news stories in the mass media because there are not many other proper news. Everybody is on holiday.
Does anyone know in which Facebook group the "responsables" from a "punto de información de Lalín" published this narrative? I just love the total anonymity of the article. Not a single name is quoted as source. Not even from the archbishopric. I'm sure, though, of course that the author asked "someone" there ...
The whole narrative hinges on the assumption that there is a demand for readily stamped credentials. There is a wide-spread belief that Spaniards need a Compostela to get a job, especially young people. I don't think that it has ever established whether this is actually a fact for the employment market in Spain.
I am not yet buying it ... I mean the story and not the credencial.
Are you talking about a credential (with Latin text??) or a Compostela?Where is Martin Luther when we need him?
I remember seeing, in Santo Domingo de la Calzada I think it was, copies of the older (early 2000s) version of the credential that had been scanned, the Latin text removed and replaced with a message in <insert language of your choice> extolling the virtues of being a Pilgrim. €5 a pop IIRC.
Sounds like an urban legend, but then again I wouldn’t put it past some people. The odd thing, though, is why go through effort when it would be far easier to simply fake the Compostela itself?
Anyone can get a Credencial. Whether a Compostela makes any difference to the employment prospects of a young Spaniard is open to conjecture.I was speaking with a veteran Camino walker in Oloron St Marie the another day and he mentioned that young people in Spain want a credential on their resume. I was surprised as I had never heard of that before.
Good catch! A Compostela! No doubt people bought them and proudly display them at home.Are you talking about a credential (with Latin text??) or a Compostela?
Deserve? I have always thought it was more about complying with some rules than merit. The rules are scaled, making 100km on foot equal to 200km on a non-motorized cycle and 100 km on a horse/mule/donkey/boat (no elephant or bull criteria yet, and rollerblades have yet to be debated in the Forum). Pietatus causa seems to be about 40% of pilgrims, so the rest may be less "deserving" of a compostela??Is it possible the people who buy these are tourists who really do not know the genuine reason for deserving a Compostela?
Given where these are advertised I think the market is probably from Spaniards who can easily take a train up to Santiago and be home the same day.Is it possible the people who buy these are tourists who really do not know the genuine reason for deserving a Compostela?
The tourist thinks "I have paid 30 euros therefore I can get meaningful souvenir along with a fridge magnet".
I was refused a credencial in SJPDP in 1990. One of the reasons given was that I had not brought a letter of introduction from a Catholic priest to verify my bona fide pilgrim status.
Do you think any Spaniard would pay thirty euros for a credential? Why?Given where these are advertised I think the market is probably from Spaniards who can easily take a train up to Santiago and be home the same day.
It sounds convincing ... until you think it through: You are 18 years old, you can walk 20 km on 5 consecutive days and as proof of this achievement you add a copy of a colourful piece of paper in Latin to your CV ... is that really such a brilliant idea?I think what is important on your CV depends on circumstances. If you are a young person with minimal qualifications and no experience, yes, I think the Compostela might be a useful addition to your CV.
The last line of this post strikes true. I have hesitated to engage, but I have heard - note, not verifiable - that it is useful for young Spanish people to include on their cv that they have walked some km on a Camino. I imagine, somewhat similar to UK young people who have done Duke of Edinburgh adventures. Which young person would not try to impress a future employer? I doubt though that they would waste money on a false credencial or Compostela.Reality check:
So far I have not managed to find an online offer where I could buy a ready made credencial with sellos that I could use to apply for a Compostela for myself. Some promising links turned up in Google Search but when I clicked on the links the offer was not available.
On one Spanish Sell & Buy platform I found an offer for €15. On further inspection, however, it was a credencial with sellos where the name of the pilgrim and the other usual personal details had already been filled in and the stamps were dated in the year 2010. So that is more a collector's item, I'd guess, that nobody has picked up yet.
I have no doubt whatsoever that some travel agencies - not all! - have dishonest practices and provide fully stamped credentials to guests who did not walk the whole last 100 km, either by having such credencials stamped by a guide or other agent working on their behalf or by buying them with stamps already in them. A brand new empty credencial is often sold for a fee, or offered against a donation, of €2 anyway. Paying €50 for a pack of 25 stamped credencials or even just for 12 such credencials when you already have clients for them - nothing would surprise me there.
But €30 for a single credencial that you have to hawk online or where you have to find a willing tourist on the Praza do Obradoiro ...? Hmmm .... I remain skeptical and have my doubts that this is a wide spread practice.
I've had that thought, too. But would they actually enclose a copy of their Compostela? Do they include a copy of their Duke of Edinburgh awards in their CVs and uni applications? I don't know ... I just wonder. We speculate. We've not heard yet from an actual Spanish employer. Or two.I imagine, somewhat similar to UK young people who have done Duke of Edinburgh adventures. Which young person would not try to impress a future employer? I doubt though that they would waste money on a false credencial or Compostela.
My younger daughter got a DoE Gold award and submitted it with her application to Durham University and was very proud of it as it included 72 hours of rain on a Welsh mountain side! (She got in)I've had that thought, too. But would they actually enclose a copy of their Compostela? Do they include a copy of their Duke of Edinburgh awards in their CVs and uni applications? I don't know ... I just wonder. We speculate. We've not heard yet from an actual Spanish employer. Or two.
Yes, but if the CVs are otherwise equivalent, ANY additional bit of experience, interest or hobby would be the deciding factor. The unanswered question is whether the Camino has more value than, say, a month-long experience of another type - language school, different trip, volunteering, special project, etc.If two people with similar experience, qualifications and education levels apply for a job, and one has walked a Camino, the Pilgrim will likely get the job over the other.
Permit me, please! When I left school I applied for a job in a local bank. Among the various cerificates and exam results I furnished, I sneaked in one just for the hell of it. Let's just say it was in its day, when the banking population was almost 100% of the Established church.I've had that thought, too. But would they actually enclose a copy of their Compostela? Do they include a copy of their Duke of Edinburgh awards in their CVs and uni applications? I don't know ... I just wonder. We speculate. We've not heard yet from an actual Spanish employer. Or two.
When has that stopped anyone of us???I know this is not on topic...
Well to continue with the tangential but not quite on topic..this got me thinking of some camino paperwork I have that’s not quite right.When has that stopped anyone of us???
The unanswered question is whether the Camino has more value than, say, a month-long experience of another type - language school, different trip, volunteering, special project, etc
But would they actually enclose a copy of their Compostela?
If walking a Camino is a premium entry on your CV if you're Spanish (just to say we dont know this, but for the sake of discussion), it'd definitely be an easy way to pad a CV without taking the time or breaking a sweat. You buy the credential with stamps, present it at the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago, get a Compostela...and hey presto.I am trying to put myself into the shoes - or rather the minds - of potential buyers.
Yes, it is true. And the Camino (in this case) begins in Sarria. Not many people have the chance of walking more than one week…I was speaking with a veteran Camino walker in Oloron St Marie the another day and he mentioned that young people in Spain want a credential on their resume. I was surprised as I had never heard of that before.
I was told it does make a difference. Or at least it did because I haven’t talked about it with my Spanish friends for a few years now…. Whether a Compostela makes any difference to the employment prospects of a young Spaniard is open to conjecture.
Of course they are, but I am told it is still a good thing to add to your CV. Maybe my ‘sources’ (lol) are talking rubbish, I do not know.I would guess that Spanish employers are aware of this.
I was told it does make a difference. Or at least it did because I haven’t talked about it with my Spanish friends for a few years now…
I can confirm this term is used in the UK to refer to silly, although not necessarily fictitious, news stories in the summer!in English apparently Silly Season
There are all those places where there's an unattended stamp, and someone really could just stamp tons of credenciales without anyone even knowing. So maybe they do genuinely walk the Camino, but they bring 20 other credenciales and stamp them all in those places where there's a stamp available but no one around, and then sell them? Seriously? I'm skeptical.Years ago I was volunteering like hospitalero at Samos monastery's albergue. Two buses full of tourists arrived and till they were massively herded to the churh, two of the guides come to me carrying maybe a hundred blank credentials asking for the "sello". I told them I couldn't stamp those credentials because there where not names on them and because I knew that the tourist would walk for five klmtrs and taken again by buses in two hours to go to Sarria, have lunch, visit the town and keep going by bus to their hotel.
(I had heard a woman telling to a group of her friends).
The guide offered me a "donation" of fifthy euros for the use of the stamp, but when I told him no, he said "OK, your choose. I'll find some place less purist than you.
Yes, there are ways and ways of "walking" the camino.
And yes, there are ways of buying and selling credentials. Since many years ithat is the way many tours companies guarantee to theirs customers that they will obtain the "oficial certificate".
Now call me judgmental.
First 15 sellos in just 3 days! Either an exhausting walk or a "Camino en Coche".I have news: I finally found an online offer for purchasing a credencial without name and without other personal details but filled with sellos. It's on es.wallapop.com. It's "New". It's from Astorga until Santiago - 250 km.
I mentioned already that I do not doubt that some Camino travel agencies may use fraudulent credencials for their customers.
I am more skeptical as to individuals buying such credencials for themselves.
In this particular case I wonder whether the seller is an experienced fraudster with an established "business" or an enterprising recent pilgrim who, in August, saw the posts about this on Facebook, got hold of a second credencial and decided to give it a go and try to "earn" some "pocket money".
Here is the screenshot:
View attachment 177306
You are likely right that there are not many, but I do know one who did so.And I severely doubt that many peregrinos between 1990 and 2024 took their Compostela home and to their parish priest to prove that they had fulfilled an obligation imposed on them by their priest in the confessional before their departure to Spain.
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