A Pilgrim's Prayer to St. James

[Kathy F.]

This prayer was published last July in the Catholic Charities newsletter for the feast day of St. James, 25 July. I know it may not be everyone’s cup of tea but I thought it might be inspiring for anyone who may need a boost while on, or preparing for, their journey. Buen Camino.

Oh, God, who brought your servant Abraham out of the land of the Chaldeans, protecting him in his wanderings, who guided the Hebrew people across the desert, we ask that you watch over us, your servants, as we walk in the love of your name to Santiago de Compostela.
Be for us our companion on the walk,
Our guide at the crossroads,
Our breath in our weariness,
Our protection in danger,
Our albergue on the Camino,
Our shade in the heat,
Our light in the darkness,
Our consolation in our discouragements,
And our strength in our intentions.
So that with your guidance we may arrive, safe and sound, at the end of the Road and, enriched with grace and virtue, we may return safely to our homes filled with joy.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Apostle Santiago, pray for us.
Santa Maria, pray for us.

 

[Barbara]

If you ever hear this in French at the pilgrim service at Le Puy en Velay, I'm the one who translated it for them. It didn't have the first couple of lines.

 

[RonaldM]

This prayer was published last July in the Catholic Charities newsletter for the feast day of St. James, 25 July. I know it may not be everyone’s cup of tea but I thought it might be inspiring for anyone who may need a boost while on, or preparing for, their journey. Buen Camino.

Oh, God, who brought your servant Abraham out of the land of the Chaldeans, protecting him in his wanderings, who guided the Hebrew people across the desert, we ask that you watch over us, your servants, as we walk in the love of your name to Santiago de Compostela.
Be for us our companion on the walk,
Our guide at the crossroads,
Our breath in our weariness,
Our protection in danger,
Our albergue on the Camino,
Our shade in the heat,
Our light in the darkness,
Our consolation in our discouragements,
And our strength in our intentions.
So that with your guidance we may arrive, safe and sound, at the end of the Road and, enriched with grace and virtue, we may return safely to our homes filled with joy.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Apostle Santiago, pray for us.
Santa Maria, pray for us.

Hello, do you know exactly where I can find this specific webpage/website that mentioned this prayer in the Catholic Charities newsletter? Thank you! I had trouble trying to find it.

 

[Kathy F.]

Hello, do you know exactly where I can find this specific webpage/website that mentioned this prayer in the Catholic Charities newsletter? Thank you! I had trouble trying to find it.

Let me see if I can find it. Did you like it?

 

[RonaldM]

Let me see if I can find it. Did you like it?

I did - it's great.

 

[Kathy F.]

I did - it's great.

Ronald, I'm soooo sorry it has taken me this long to get back to you.

This prayer is from the US Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The most prominent place I found it was in association with World Youth Day from 2015. It is a general prayer for pilgrims and was used on World Youth Day to bless the people who would be heading to their home parishes from the conference.

I found it by typing in the first few words of the prayer, "Oh, God, who brought your servant Abraham out of . . . " into Google search and the World Youth Day page popped up. This prayer, and it's explanation is on the second page or so.

I hope this helps, again sorry for the delay, and Buen Camino!!