a silent camino

[Kiwi-family]

I'm intrigued after reading about a guy doing a silent pilgrimage.
How? just how do you do it?
What about ordering food? Finding a bed? Not appearing rude to the many well-wishers you meet along the way?

Anybody know?

(And no, I will not be attempting it, as much as I love silence)

 

[Anniesantiago]

On my first Camino, we stayed at Monjarin and during dinner a scraggley young man showed up. He did not speak. He was barefoot. When we said hi, he waved, but did not speak. We weren't sure if he was homeless or deaf or what is was all about. But Tomas recognized that the young man was walking his Camino barefoot, in silence, and with no money. He fed him and gave him a bed. Next day, the boy took off early. We passed him along the trail. He was soaking his poor hot bare feet in a puddle. We never saw him again so I'm not sure how far he got, but he DID get as far as Monjarin!

 

[MichaelB10398]

This form of pilgrimage is not for everyone. It is understood by enough other pilgrims and locals that a pilgrim with a temporary vow of silence is respected. Of course, there are others without a background in such endeavors that would not understand.

I liken this to what one does during Lent with an emphasis on self-denial. It is not intended to be easy, but rather it is intended draw one closer to an understanding of the sufferings of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for the individual.

With a few cards to explain what is wanted, it would be easier to receive what is wanted. However, the pilgrim with this type of commitment would seek silence in avoiding too much contact with others in order to focus on the purpose of their Camino.

Hope all is well with you and your family.

 

[Tia Valeria]

We saw a pilgrim at the Pilgrims' Mass who had walked in silence. He had a sign on his pack saying what he was doing. When folk stood in the way of others he mimed to them to sit down and they responded. After the mass he was happy to talk to folk as his pilgrimage was over. Not the pilgrim mentioned above as this one had boots.

 

[tyrrek]

Yes, each to their own. I remember in Jerusalem seeing a man 'walking' the Via Dolorosa on his knees. That was an act of penance, I assume. When I saw him he was still in the Muslim Quarter, but the Muslims all seemed to know where he was coming from and gave him space to shuffle along in what is basically a crowded market. Buen Camino!

 

[methodist.pilgrim.98]

annie was your bare foot pilgrim walking in May/June 1998?

 

[Anniesantiago]

No, it was either 2006 or 2009. I'll have to ask Joe - he has a better memory than I.