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The end of our pilgrim mission.

Rodrigo Cerqueira

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
3 French from St. Jean Pied Port, 3 Portuguese from Lisbon, 1 Portuguese from Porto, 1 Primitivo from Oviedo, 19 Lisbon - Fatima, 2 Porto - Fatima, 1 Coimbra - Fátima... Open the caminhos Nascente Fátima - Tomar, Poente Nazaré- Fátima, the north connection from Fátima to Ansião and Caminho Santiago central.
In the last 13 years, the Associação de Amigos dos Caminhos de Fátima, has carried out the mission of helping thousands of pilgrims to make the Caminho towards Fatima and Santiago through the fields, safely and with tranquility. To achieve this greater objective, we painted arrows, help to create albergues.

Due to the proliferation of the Portuguese Turism Ofice paths, (Caminho do Centenário, Rota Carmelita and other projects under development to the east and west of Fátima) that "ran over" our paths, our mission is no longer possible. It became a competition against public entities, which due to obtaining European funds, developed a sudden interest in pilgrims.

Although our goodwill is unlimited, our resources are not. For that reason and with great commotion, our mission to help pilgrims came to an end.

Our website (www.caminho.com.pt) has been deactivated. When possible, it will be reformulated due to the context.

It was a pleasure to walk together. And if we went back we would repeat everything, once again, because it was worth it. Thank you for making our lives richer with your Pilgrim Spirit.

A very tight pilgrim hug.
Rodrigo Cerqueira
 
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€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
I am sorry to hear this news, Rodrigo. I know from your past posts how much this project and work meant to you, and I can only imagine how hurt and upset you must feel as you came to this decision. My prayers are with you, friend.
Thank you Dave for your kind words. Unfortunately in the next months the pilgrims that visit Portugal will understand what is happening to the Caminhos.
 
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A selection of Camino Jewellery
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
Although our goodwill is unlimited, our resources are not. For that reason and with great commotion, our mission to help pilgrims came to an end.
I can only echo Dave's words - I am very sorry, Rodrigo. Many thanks go to you and your colleagues - may you all find solace in a job very well done, from the heart. Success is never guaranteed, even if it is deserved. But goodness following goodness is. You have helped many, so may you be blessed just as you have offered the same!
 
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In the last 13 years, the Associação de Amigos dos Caminhos de Fátima, has carried out the mission of helping thousands of pilgrims to make the Caminho towards Fatima and Santiago through the fields, safely and with tranquility. To achieve this greater objective, we painted arrows, help to create albergues.

Due to the proliferation of the Portuguese Turism Ofice paths, (Caminho do Centenário, Rota Carmelita and other projects under development to the east and west of Fátima) that "ran over" our paths, our mission is no longer possible. It became a competition against public entities, which due to obtaining European funds, developed a sudden interest in pilgrims.

Although our goodwill is unlimited, our resources are not. For that reason and with great commotion, our mission to help pilgrims came to an end.

Our website (www.caminho.com.pt) has been deactivated. When possible, it will be reformulated due to the context.

It was a pleasure to walk together. And if we went back we would repeat everything, once again, because it was worth it. Thank you for making our lives richer with your Pilgrim Spirit.

A very tight pilgrim hug.
Rodrigo Cerqueira
So sorry to hear this. When we walked from Porto to Santiago in 2017, we passed many pilgrims following the blue arrows along the shared path as they were going to Fátima for the canonization of Jacinta and Francisco. Thanks to you and your association for the work you did to support this pilgrimage trail.
 
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I am very sorry to hear this news Rodrigo. I know you have helped many forum members over the years, and this must have been a very tough decision. I think it is safe to say that while the tourism offices may dump lots of money into promotion, marking, and fancy marketing campaigns, without on-the-ground buy-in the caminhos are unlikely to flourish and become self-sustaining. I wish you and your organization all the best.
 
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Thank you Rodrigo - I treasure the beautiful credencial that you sent to me. You or your colleagues are talented designers. I look forward to using that credencial to make a pilgrimage to Fatima some day, somehow.
I am sorry that the public entities didn't seek ways to cooperate with the caminho angels who already devoted so much energy in the caminho. It must be distressing for you to wind up your mission. Thanks again for your efforts that helped so many pilgrims.
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
In the last 13 years, the Associação de Amigos dos Caminhos de Fátima, has carried out the mission of helping thousands of pilgrims to make the Caminho towards Fatima and Santiago through the fields, safely and with tranquility. To achieve this greater objective, we painted arrows, help to create albergues.

Due to the proliferation of the Portuguese Turism Ofice paths, (Caminho do Centenário, Rota Carmelita and other projects under development to the east and west of Fátima) that "ran over" our paths, our mission is no longer possible. It became a competition against public entities, which due to obtaining European funds, developed a sudden interest in pilgrims.

Although our goodwill is unlimited, our resources are not. For that reason and with great commotion, our mission to help pilgrims came to an end.

Our website (www.caminho.com.pt) has been deactivated. When possible, it will be reformulated due to the context.

It was a pleasure to walk together. And if we went back we would repeat everything, once again, because it was worth it. Thank you for making our lives richer with your Pilgrim Spirit.

A very tight pilgrim hug.
Rodrigo Cerqueira
davebugg and VNwalking have expressed things better than I could. You and your community are and will be blessed.
 
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Thank you to all the pilgrim for your kind words that warmed my pilgrim heart.
As a way to thank you for your beautiful messages, I leave a video, with 1/7 of the +7,000 we painted in this 13 years to Fátima and Santiago. Thank you pilgrims.

 
Could you perhaps post a Gpx file of YOUR route that Pilgrims could follow? Maybe that way people could see what has happened? Hugs

Barbara thank you for your suggestion. Pilgrim can access the Caminhos on this Google Maps https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=15ZsZqvERryHn3BH4iRN0KTmQ-OtJpicY&usp=sharing You can download the KML file and convert to different gps formats.
The red lines on the Caminho Central of Santiago and the north of Fátima are the Portuguese Tourism Office. Pilgrim Hugs :)
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms

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