Types of Compostela Certificates

[Seawind]

Six days out from Santiago on the Norte and have been talking with experienced pilgrims on the Certificates upon arriving in Santiago. I came back to this Forum to see if the answers were here and found that there is only one Certificate called the Compostela. Can anyone clear up and confirm this to be true OR is there another certificate for certain distances and….one experienced pilgrim even mentioned a “medal” of sort if you let the office hold your Credential until they verified your pilgrimage…then sent/mailed it back to you. Clarification would be helpful.

 

[Tincatinker]

Six days out from Santiago on the Norte and have been talking with experienced pilgrims on the Certificates upon arriving in Santiago. I came back to this Forum to see if the answers were here and found that there is only one Certificate called the Compostela. Can anyone clear up and confirm this to be true OR is there another certificate for certain distances and….one experienced pilgrim even mentioned a “medal” of sort if you let the office hold your Credential until they verified your pilgrimage…then sent/mailed it back to you. Clarification would be helpful.

There is the Compostela and there is acertificate of distance. That’s it.

There used to be a certificate of welcome for those who made the pilgrimage for other than religious reasons. The Pilgrims Office seems to have set those aside and issue a Compostela to all that meet the current criteria: to have walked at least 100km into Santiago by a recognized route and to have collected at least two Sellos per day in a recognized Credencial.

All the accurate information is available on their website: https://oficinadelperegrino.com/en/

 

[trecile]

There is only ONE Compostela. The other certificates have different names, such as Fisterrana, Salvadorana, etc. . At the Pilgrim Office in Santiago they issue only Compostelas and Distance Certificates. They used to (or maybe still do on request) issue a non-religious Welcome Certificate.

There are other certificates issued at different places on different Caminos. I have only heard once about a medal, and I think that was for starting from SJPdP.

Here's an article about some of the other certificates you can receive:

The end of each Camino; all the pilgrim's certificates.

There are many certificates apart from the Compostela, some of them as well as the Pilgrims' Route to Santiago and here we show you all.

viajecaminodesantiago.com

 

[Bradypus]

one experienced pilgrim even mentioned a “medal” of sort if you let the office hold your Credential until they verified your pilgrimage…then sent/mailed it back to you. Clarification would be helpful.

I've never heard of a medal from the Santiago pilgrim office. The SJPDP office were offering one some years ago but I have no idea if that is still available. Some mention of it in this old thread: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/medallion-from-pilgrims-office-in-st-jean.65525/

 

[Seawind]

As true to form, your expertise is appreciated and very helpful. Thank all of you who replied AND so timely. As you have earlier advised me, I will start acquiring 2 stamps per day at Baamonde going forward to Santiago with my origination being in Irun. Incredible journey!
Overlooking Mondoñedo from the rain/wind storm!!

 

[PiesIrlandeses]

One slight variation on the standard Compostela is a vicarie pro.

Your name still appears printed on the certificate, but the name of your nominee is added, handwritten with the words vicarie pro. This is only granted in particular circumstances, such as your nominee being physically unable to make the pilgrimage.

 

[J Willhaus]

You pay a small fee for the distance certificate, but not for the compostella.

 

[SabsP]

You pay a small fee for the distance certificate, but not for the compostella.

Indeed, the Compostela is free and the Certificado de Distancia is 3 €.

 

[JabbaPapa]

I've never heard of a medal from the Santiago pilgrim office. The SJPDP office were offering one some years ago but I have no idea if that is still available. Some mention of it in this old thread: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/medallion-from-pilgrims-office-in-st-jean.65525/

It was still available there in the beginning of August this year.

 

[Monasp]

Six days out from Santiago on the Norte and have been talking with experienced pilgrims on the Certificates upon arriving in Santiago. I came back to this Forum to see if the answers were here and found that there is only one Certificate called the Compostela. Can anyone clear up and confirm this to be true OR is there another certificate for certain distances and….one experienced pilgrim even mentioned a “medal” of sort if you let the office hold your Credential until they verified your pilgrimage…then sent/mailed it back to you. Clarification would be helpful.

A medal is sent by the SJPDP Pilgrims' Office to pilgrims who request one, provided they have walked or cycled the distance between SJPDP and Santiago de Compostela.

 

[trecile]

A medal is sent by the SJPDP Pilgrims' Office to pilgrims who request one, provided they have walked or cycled the distance between SJPDP and Santiago de Compostela.

It says on the website to send copies of the first and last pages of the credencial with €10 to receive the medal. Is that just for EU residents, or do they send it anywhere in the world?

 

[CWBuff]

A medal is sent by the SJPDP Pilgrims' Office to pilgrims who request one, provided they have walked or cycled the distance between SJPDP and Santiago de Compostela.

Hi @Monasp - so... I can (still) request the medal even if I walked in May-June 2022?
if so - is the criteria to get it still on the SJPdP Pilgrim Office website?

edit - I do see on the website that its available but the ask is to send 10 € (and I presume in cash?) What does one do if their currency is not Euro? Like mine of course is USD?
Any insight is appreciated

Merci!

 

[trecile]

I do see on the website that its available but the ask is to send 10 € (and I presume in cash?) What does one do if their currency is not Euro? Like mine of course is USD?

You don't have any spare €€ from your last trip?

 

[CWBuff]

Actually I always do (given the fact that Laurie runs to Europe couple of times a year for business trips)
I was being a "Good Pilgrim" and asking for the non-European Community

 

[Robertb345]

I got this from the San Fancisco convent next to near the cathedral. Has a prayer on the back and the front is in latin. They also stamp your credentials and say a prayer for you. Hope I did not accidentally join some order !

 

[CWBuff]

Yes you did and now you have to do that "Franciscan" hairdo!

 

[Pafayac]

I do see on the website that its available but the ask is to send 10 € (and I presume in cash?)

Sending cash is forbidden in France, I guess you should use check (are they used yet in US ?).

 

[CWBuff]

No... but I am aware of one chap (bloke, dude etc) who is chiselling one out of the stone tablet as we speak

Seriously I dont think my bank would allow me to write a check for Euros

 

[Seawind]

After reading all of the posts in regards to the “medal”. It looks like my Camino(Irun to Santiago) would not qualify??

 

[henrythedog]

A medal?

Seriously guys, how desperate do you have to be?

The entire premise of anything starting in St Jean is made-up. The provenance of St James’ earthly remains, discovered when the church was running low on cash, residing in Santiago is - let’s be kind - dubious. A man-made certificate which purports some religious significance is made available - although at no cost - and now that some medal from a tourist-office is available that’s of interest also?

Isn’t it enough to do what you will and know you’ve done what you can?

 

[CWBuff]

I.... WANT.... MY .... MEDAL!!!!
IT'S .... MY.... CAMINO!!!!

(I'm considering starting a GoFundMe page for the amount needed for the fee and the postage)

 

[henrythedog]

I got this from the San Fancisco convent next to near the cathedral. Has a prayer on the back and the front is in latin. They also stamp your credentials and say a prayer for you. Hope I did not accidentally join some order !

It’s your turn in the barrel on Wednesdays.

 

[henrythedog]

Terri: I’m shocked.

 

[dick bird]

Where I come from, asking someone if they want a medal is regarded as a form of sarcasm.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

Clearly no one posting runs marathons.

 

[Miki Goldie]

And.....receiving the compostela after the last 100 klm, 2 stamps, signifies spiritually -all of your sins are wiped clean (till the next day). That's why the wealthy merchants would pay poor pilgrims to walk for this reason , back in medievil times.
This is why I do a camino each year. Those sins pile up. ...love

 

[Kathar1na]

some medal from a tourist-office

Not from a tourist office. It is the Pilgrim Office in SJPP who came up with the idea of this medal. Here is the link:

MÉDAILLE : ST. JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT à COMPOSTELE – Compostelle.fr

Une nouveauté à l'accueil de St Jean Pied de port : chaque pèlerin qui partira pour accomplir la totalité des Camino Navarrais et Camino Francés se verra proposer de recevoir de retour dans son foyer…

www.compostelle.fr

 

[Kathar1na]

Actually, google medaille pèlerinage and you’ll find plenty of medals for plenty of traditional pilgrimages.

 

[Kathar1na]

And.....receiving the compostela after the last 100 klm, 2 stamps, signifies spiritually -all of your sins are wiped clean (till the next day).

Just in case this comment was not meant as a joke about the Compostela: No, that is not what is signifies - neither spiritually nor otherwise.

 

[Kathar1na]

Sending cash is forbidden in France, I guess you should use check (are they used yet in US ?).

That French Mail does not allow to post small amounts of cash is rather unusual. Of course, when you send cash from abroad you don’t enter a contract with French Mail you enter a contract with your own mail provider. If I were keen on this medal from the Pilgrim Office in SJPP in France I’d pop a € 10 note into an envelope or a $ 20 note - that would make € 10 for the medal and some € 7 for higher postage and as a donation.

Sending checks is pointless. Provided that it is even feasible cashing a foreign check (no matter what the denomination is) comes with very high bank fees.

 

[Pafayac]

"Never send cash via mail or in a parcel. It can get lost or stolen."
Ways to send money internationally

 

[Kathar1na]

"Never send cash via mail or in a parcel. It can get lost or stolen."
Ways to send money internationally

Sure.

But I have sent small amounts of cash in standard letter envelopes to another country in Europe plenty of times and will continue to do so, in the full knowledge that it might get lost or even stolen, as a birthday gift, as a First Communion gift, or as a Thank You for a small job done voluntarily for me, with the bank note carefully put inside a card or wrapped around with my Thank You letter. It always arrived at its destination.

So before we loose sight of the commemoration coin and dive into the world of global payment with Wise and Charles Schwab and Revolut and Visa and all that, here is what is says on the website of the Pilgrim Office (link already provided earlier) about how to pay for the coin, also already explained by @trecile earlier:

Envoyer 10 € et copies de première et dernière page de la credencial à:​

​

Amis du chemin de St Jacques PA​

39 rue de la Citadelle​

64220 St Jean Pied de Port,​

​

avec vos noms et adresse, bien sûr​

​

There is no bank account number to be seen anywhere to make a wire transfer; there is no option to pay by credit card or by PayPal. So what is the aspiring owner of the medaille supposed to do other than pop a bank note into an envelope and mail it? Get a prepaid card and load it with €10 and send it to them? Really?

 

[Kathar1na]

Also note that you don't have to provide a copy of a Compostela when you wish to order the commemoration coin. It is copies of pages from your credencial (pilgrim passport) that they want. You can get this piece of commemoration of your Camino without having to ask for a Compostela ...

 

[Flog]

So what is the aspiring owner of the medaille supposed to do other than pop a bank note into an envelope and mail it? Get a prepaid card and load it with €10 and send it to them? Really?

I agree, for the simplicity of it.. the small risk of a €10 or €20 note going astray in the post, is no big deal.
If it's more than you can cope with losing, then simply don't do it and move on..

 

[Pafayac]

Also note that you don't have to provide a copy of a Compostela when you wish to order the commemoration coin. It is copies of pages from your credencial (pilgrim passport) that they want. You can get this piece of commemoration of your Camino without having to ask for a Compostela ...

Yes, but you cannot get this valuable medal if you have a Compostela without starting (or passing) in SJPP...

 

[CamisMors]

I got this from the San Fancisco convent next to near the cathedral. Has a prayer on the back and the front is in latin. They also stamp your credentials and say a prayer for you. Hope I did not accidentally join some order !

I got this one too, in honor to my grandmother who was a very faithful devotee of Saint Francis, it's very special to me. And now that you mention it, I'm also curious to know the translation. Couldn't find anything online.

 

[Robertb345]

I got this one too, in honor to my grandmother who was a very faithful devotee of Saint Francis, it's very special to me. And now that you mention it, I'm also curious to know the translation. Couldn't find anything online.

It was very nice to get this. Much more personable with the blessing. Like a ceremony versus the experience at the pilgrim office which was more like getting a drivers license. I"m not knocking the pilgrim office, very efficient. Just I remember the Franciscan one better.

 

[Kathar1na]

I got this one too, in honor to my grandmother who was a very faithful devotee of Saint Francis, it's very special to me. And now that you mention it, I'm also curious to know the translation. Couldn't find anything online.

You make a good point: What matters is the value that I myself attribute to a piece of paper or a piece of metal for myself, and not the value - or non-value for that matter - that others want to attribute to it on my behalf.

As to the Latin text, starting with Benedicat tibi Dominus, it is usually translated into English as follows:

The Lord bless you and keep you,​

the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you,​

the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.​

​

Or variations thereof such as:

​

The Lord bless you and keep you.​

May he show his face to you and have mercy.​

May he turn his countenance to you and give you peace.​

The Lord bless you!​

​

The last sentence (before the name) says: May the Lord bless Brother/Sister ....

​

I am not familiar with Franciscan traditions but somebody else may well know why they have chosen this text.

In the liturgy of the Church that I am familiar with, the vicar always addresses these words to the congregation at the end of the service, followed by the sign of a blessing.

 

[Monasp]

It says on the website to send copies of the first and last pages of the credencial with €10 to receive the medal. Is that just for EU residents, or do they send it anywhere in the world?

Anywhere in the world. It's now 15 €

 

[oursonpolaire]

No... but I am aware of one chap (bloke, dude etc) who is chiselling one out of the stone tablet as we speak

Seriously I dont think my bank would allow me to write a check for Euros

Pretty well any bank will write a draft or cheque for you in any currency. They tend to charge shamelessly for it, and usually only larger branches will have staff who have any experience in doing so. In recent years, my credit union has prepared drafts for me in euros (and in Australian dollars and pounds sterling). But for smaller amounts I have often done as other posters, and just sent a banknote inside a folded sheet of paper.

 

[Pafayac]

Anywhere in the world. It's now 15 €

Price inflation, what a pity !
Anyway, you should update your we page which display the former price...
Medal price

 

[ShoshTrvls]

I wonder if you could pay in advance when you get to SJPP and then email or send them the credential pages after you arrive in Santiago

 

[CWBuff]

Anywhere in the world. It's now 15 €

Hmmm now I am stumped. I dont have a 15 € note to send so perhaps I would write a check but on the other hand...

Pretty well any bank will write a draft or cheque for you in any currency. They tend to charge shamelessly for it, ....

Oh Whatever does a Poor Pilgrim Medal-Wanna-be do?!


Thank you @Monasp for clarification