Walk for someone else

[Josefine]

Just posted this in the Camino Portugues section, but I guess it belongs here, in the Miscellaneous Topics, so I repeat it:


Hi everybody,
Happy to say that I will be on the Camino again this year. July 3 starting in Oporto, Portugal and perhaps, if all turns out as I hope, I will do the Inglés the last week in June as well.
I want to walk the Portugues in the name of someone else, an elderly lady who is very dear to me and who can not, because of old age and helath issues, walk it herself. I know this can be done but I don't know exactly how.... what are the "rules" so to say? Do I need to do something in advance or just give her name once I arrive in Santiago so they write her name on the compostela? Please advice so I don't make any mistakes as this is very important to me.

Josefine

 

[Rebekah Scott]

This is not so uncommon.
You don´t have to do anything in particular to achieve it except walk the Way. When you get to the pilgrim´s office, tell them what you have done. They will put your name on the certificate, and your friend´s name at the bottom, as a "vicarie pro: Instead Of."

I did this last year for a friend who died suddenly, it was the most meaningful Camino I ever walked. Giving the Compostela to her family was moving, to say the least... very healing for all of us.

Bless you for your thoughtfulness. Your friend is a lucky woman!

Reb.

 

[ffp13]

 

[Josefine]

Thank you for your answer Rebekah, I'll follow your advice, just walk the Way and my elderly friend will be with me in my thoughts.
Josefine

 

[TerryB]

Hi Josefine,
Rebekah is right - there are no rules!
Another thing that you could do though is; go into an open church, sit quietly (no need to 'pray'!) and focus on your friend. What might she be doing? Picture her face, share her thoughts, just 'be with her' and know that God is with you both. You can do this anywhere, but I find it does help to take time out to focus. That way, you are indeed 'taking her with you'.
Bless you for doing this.

Buen Camino
Terry

 

[Josefine]

Hi Terry, thank you for your kind words, she will indeed be with me in everything I do. And to me, this will be a very special Camino.
Josefine

 

[Josefine]

Hi Terry, thank you for your kind words, she will indeed be with me in everything I do. And to me, this will be a very special Camino.
Josefine

 

[Br. David]

Hi Josefine,
Another thing that you could do though is; go into an open church, sit quietly (no need to 'pray'!) and focus on your friend. What might she be doing? Picture her face, share her thoughts, just 'be with her' and know that God is with you both. You can do this anywhere, but I find it does help to take time out to focus. That way, you are indeed 'taking her with you'.
Bless you for doing this.
Terry

Agree, absolutely, no reserve - but I think you will find that this is exactly what 'praying' can be.

all is well :wink:

 

[crackmrmac]

Terry , This sounds like something I did on my first walk. In the open air while walking on a Sunday, I specifically thought of an individual person and prayed for what their particular needs might be.