The Pilgrimage of Saint James of Compostela

Saint James the Greater was the brother of the apostle and evangelist, John. He evangelized a part of Iberia and was buried near the present sanctuary of Santiago de Compostela. He is therefore the saint at the origin of this pilgrimage known worldwide. Indeed, routes depart from many cities in Europe to reach Spain. More than 200,000 people take this path each year (this estimate increases by about 10% every year).

The Origin of the Pilgrimage

After Pentecost, Saint James the Greater is said to have gone to Iberia (present-day Spain) to spread the Good News there. His mission was a failure because he managed to convert only a very small number of people. Returning to Palestine, with a few new Christians, he nevertheless succeeded in converting the magician Hermogenes. Unfortunately, he died a martyr there, beheaded by order of King Herod. His faithful decided to bring the apostle back to Spain, to bury him. Arriving at the Roman port of Ira Flavia (today, Padron), they are said to have met the queen of the region, Lupia. Refusing to let them bury the deceased, she orders them to transport him in a cart pulled by wild bulls. Against all expectations, the beasts are said to have been docile, the burial ceremony was able to take place without incident. Seeing this, the queen and her court are said to have converted.

One of the origins of the term "Compostela" would be that the body of the future saint was buried in a compostum (that is, "cemetery", this would be one of the etymologies of "Compostela"). The other hypothesis recounts that the location of the tomb remained unknown until the beginning of the 9th century. But it is said that on July 25, 813, a star came to indicate to a hermit, named Pelayo (Pelagius), the place of the tomb of Saint James. It was then called campus stellae ("field of the star"). This would have given, according to another etymology, the word "Compostela."

The relics of Saint James were discovered at the beginning of the 9th century. It was then Alfonso II the Chaste who had a church and a monastery erected next to the tomb. This is how Santiago de Compostela was born. From the 11th century onwards, this pilgrimage became very popular. But it was only after the capture of Granada, in 1492, that Pope Alexander VI officially declared Santiago de Compostela as one of the "three great pilgrimages of Christendom", along with those of Jerusalem and Rome.

The Routes of the Compostela Pilgrimage

The Ways of Compostela, corresponding to several routes in Spain and France, were declared in 1987 as a "cultural route of the Council of Europe" by the Council of Europe. It is the most frequented pilgrimage in the Christian world. It is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Camino francés gathers 2/3 of the walkers but the other routes are gradually seeing an increase in their use. The summer months are the most frequented by pilgrims and Spanish pilgrims are the majority (pilgrims of foreign origin dominate the rest of the year).

A very popular starting point is that of Le Puy-en-Velay. There are 1500 kilometers between Le Puy and Santiago. Based on an average of 20 kilometers per day, it will take about 75 days to reach the destination.

Between the Pyrenees and Santiago, there are 930 kilometers to cover, in 32 stages. Indeed, all the European routes come together at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Then one must cross the Pyrenees to reach Roncesvalles (Roncesvalles in Spanish). Afterwards, there is only one path to go to Santiago de Compostela.

The other starting points for the pilgrimage are multiple. The pilgrim can leave from where they wish and then join a known route.

In France, the most well-known routes are those from Paris, Vézelay, Arles, and, as mentioned earlier, Le Puy-en-Velay. Departures are also made from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Geneva, Toulouse, Tours, Hendaye, and the Stevenson trails.

In Spain, there are departures from Roncesvalles, Ferrol (the English Way, which is the shortest itinerary) and from San Sebastián.

In Portugal, the most well-known departures are Porto, Ponte de Lima and Lisbon.

Blessing Prayer Recited at the Pilgrims' Send-off Mass, at the Cathedral of Le Puy-en-Velay

"Lord, our God and our Father, hear the prayers addressed to you by these pilgrims departing for Compostela. May the Holy Spirit make faith grow in their hearts, may He give strength to their hope and constantly renew their love for their neighbor encountered on the way.

May they arrive safe and sound at the goal of their journey, living in hope and prayer the promise of the heavenly Jerusalem where you will gather us with your Son in your glory and in the communion of the Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

May Our Lady grant you her maternal protection, may she defend you in the perils of the journey and may, through her intercession, you arrive safe and sound at the end of your journey.

May Saint James help you to make this journey a time of joy and friendly encounters on the paths and to return home afterwards to share your faith strengthened in the silence of the long walks.

And may Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Go in the name of the Lord."

Prayer of the Pilgrim to Saint James

"O Saint James,

Support us in dangers and lighten our marches;
Be for us a shade against the sun, a cloak against rain and cold;
Be the staff that prevents falls and the harbor that welcomes the shipwrecked;

So that guided by you, we reach our goal with certainty,
And return safe and sound to our home."

Continue Your Prayer with Hozana!

Perhaps thanks to Saint James you will embark on the beautiful adventure of the pilgrimage! You can also start by making an interior pilgrimage, for example a novena..