Spiritual Preparation

[Jeff Stys]

Long time reader...first time poster.

Is anyone familiar with a Spiritual Guide with daily bible readings designed to be started a year before starting off on the Camino?

I remember seeing one on the internet sometime ago, but cannot located it now. Also, I'd be greatful for any suggestions others have for spirtual works for pre or post-Caminos.

For the past several years, I have taken a few weeks every year to walk the various Caminos. With some creative use of frequent flier miles and project management, I plan on taking 6 weeks to walk (slowly) from Somport to Finesterre in April 2012.

Thanks for the help and look forward to seeing lots of response.

Buen Camino,

Jeff

 

[cedarhollow03]

Hi Jeff,
I haven't seen a year long bible verse list but at this link is a 40 day plan. My husband and I are thinking/planning on the camino frances next year. Good luck on your search for the bible verses.
I have been reading everything I can, but kinda wish we were going this year instead. All the information is a little overwhelming and helpful at the same time.

Blessings, Jamie

gryjhnsn.tripod.com/santiago/fortydays.pdf

 

[TerryB]

Welcome Jeff,
I bought the following small book for my wife Valerie earlier this year cost £5.99. (Amazon £4.02)
"Making a Pilgrimage": Author Sally Welch: ISBN 978-0-7459-5356-4
Amazon link here:- https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_no ... &x=11&y=20

If you have not found it yet there is a thread here:- pilgrim-books/topic10338.html

Blessings on your preparation
Tio Tel

 

[Tia Valeria]

The Bible Society have a 40 day Bible readings audio and plan. It is a free download, they just ask for a donation to help others receive Bibles in their own language.

Bible Society - UK

Bible Reading Fellowship produces notes and readings, usually 3 months at a time. Also UK based.
Buen Camino

 

[TerryB]

There is a Novena of Prayer on the Confraternity (UK) website here:-
http://www.csj.org.uk/StJamesNovena.pdf

It also contains some further reading possibilities for research.

Blessings
Tio Tel

 

[annakappa]

Hello Jeff, Try this site:
www.archicompostela.org/.../Guiaespiritual/DescargaGuia.htm
You can download a 61 page Spiritual Guide. I bought the very same one at the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago. Well, by that time I'd finished my Camino. It would have been more useful if I could have bought it in Roncevalles - or downloaded it! It is however, in Spanish. There are some nice readings, information spiritually orientated and the last 30 or so pages contain prayers for the morning and the evening, which include a Psalm, a very short reading, a guided reflection and a final prayer. All very pertinent to our Camino. Anne

 

[elirin]

Hi Jeff,

First time poster as well.... What you found at some point is probably "A Closer Walk", a selection of bible readings for one year. It can be found on the same page as "Forty Days" mentioned above. I only just found it myself and have no feedback to give on the selection. In the Downloads section of the Peregrinos office's homepage there is a pastoral letter for the Holy Year 2010 in english issued by the Archsbishoperio of Santiago, as well as a spiritual guide, Guía Espiritual, in spanish from the Conferencia Episcopal Española, both in PDF. The latter link is a level up from the actual thing. Good luck!
Elisabet

http://gryjhnsn.tripod.com/santiago/id13.html
http://peregrinossantiago.es/eng/post-p ... descargas/

 

[Tia Valeria]

CSJ have a downloadable selection of readings by Gary T Johnson. Also called 'Forty Days' and described as 'A Devotional Companion for the Pilgrimage to Compostela'. It is excellent, we will be using the preliminary readings and then taking a copy with us next year.

 

[grayland]

Hi Jamie,
There is a Camino group in Seattle that does a short walk each month and an occasional potluck to share experiences and offer advice to those planning a first adventure.
If you are not aware of this group...please PM me and I will put you in contact with Martha and Becky who head up the group.

 

[Arn]

In 2008 I was still in discernment for the diaconate in the Catholic Church. Sadly, or probably faithfully I found that one commitment I've had for the past twenty years put me at odds with the formation required. So, I have pushed ahead with many lay functions that partially fulfill my calling as it currently exists.

I add this because, at the time, my confessor Father Bob a Jesuit, suggested that I take a copy of St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises. Here is the link:

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/ignatius/exercises.html

Here is a solid explanation of the SE:

Ignatius of Loyola, St (1491-1556)
Description: Written by the founder of the Society of Jesus, the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius is a powerful book. Derived mostly from St. Ignatius' conversion experiences in 1521-3, Spiritual Exercises has provided guidance and encouragement to its readers for several hundred years. The aim of Spiritual Exercises is to assist people in finding God's will for their life, and to give them the motivation and courage to follow that will. It is not a continuous piece of writing, but more like a program of sorts, containing a collection of thoughts, rules, encouragements, readings, meditations, prayers, warnings, and notes. Nevertheless the condensed writing is organized into four "weeks," or periods of time, with each week focusing upon a different theme--the first, human sin; the second, Christ's life on earth; the third, Christ's death on the cross; the fourth, Christ's risen life. A key theme throughout the Spiritual Exercises is discernment--the need to discern between good desires and evil desires in one's life. It is by following the four weeks, and by utilizing such discernment, that a person can better realize God's will for his or her own life. Although more profitably worked through with another person or spiritual director, Spiritual Exercises can be extremely beneficial for private personal study.

Tim Perrine
CCEL Staff Writer

I found that by reading before I went on Camino, during and, then again, after. I found a new meaning to the SE formed at the time of my Camino and then later upon reflection.

It's downloadable and I now have it on my Kindle which I will take on the Camino Port in three weeks.

Buen "Walk the Way...that the Way moves you" Camino

Arn

 

[cedarhollow03]

Hi Jamie,
There is a Camino group in Seattle that does a short walk each month and an occasional potluck to share experiences and offer advice to those planning a first adventure.
If you are not aware of this group...please PM me and I will put you in contact with Martha and Becky who head up the group.

Hi Ed,
I do know about the Puget Sound chapter. I have the walking dates on my calendar, but I am more outgoing than the hubby so it will take some sweet talking to get him to go for a walk where he may need to share. ;-) We are starting our camino in SJPP at the end of June. I work for a school so can't get on a plane sooner. We are both so excited about the challenge (spiritual, mental & physical). He will be turning 60 in July, so this is a perfect way for him to celebrate.

Thanks for offering help. I am still looking at the forums everyday gleaning information. I must have the camino bug!
Jamie

 

[Arn]

Jamie,

The Camino is not a bug you can get inoculated against. It's passed on by casual contact and spreads as the spirit moves you.

Welcome to the Way!

Arn