Albergue de Santa Maria in Carrión de los Condes

[Natique2]

I understand that many nuns have retired and the hospitalarios are leading the pilgrims in one or two songs. Additionally, I read the communal dinner is only served on Saturdays. Is this true?

Is the pilgrim Mass open to all pilgrims or only the pilgrims staying at Albergue de Santa Maria?

Thanks for your comments
Maryanne

 

[J Willhaus]

There are usually always hospitaleros there that help out. A couple on the Camino reported staying there a couple of weeks ago here on the forum, but made no mention that the sisters were absent. Pilgrim Mass is open to all. The singalong is usually in the garden or in the stairwell of the albergue.

 

[C clearly]

For clarification, are we talking about the albergue in Carrión de los Condes?

 

[J Willhaus]

For clarification, are we talking about the albergue in Carrión de los Condes?

I am.

 

[KB Jaffe]

I understand that many nuns have retired and the hospitalarios are leading the pilgrims in one or two songs. Additionally, I read the communal dinner is only served on Saturdays. Is this true?

Is the pilgrim Mass open to all pilgrims or only the pilgrims staying at Albergue de Santa Maria?

Thanks for your comments
Maryanne

I was at the singalong last week with four nuns and many pilgrims from both the albergue and other lodging. There was an introduction for each pilgrim, and several even played songs on the guitar that everyone tried to join in. After, at the pilgrim mass, the nuns passed out a small gift after the pilgrim blessing. It was lovely…

 

[lt56ny]

For those who will be walking when Santa Maria is closed for the season the Albergue Espiritu Santo is just a wonderful place to lay your head in Carrion de los Condes.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Sounds like a rumor started by a pilgrim who expected nice singing nuns and found just some boring old ordinary hospitaleros! Unmet expectations! I didn't see any nuns, so they're all GONE FOREVER!
The Augustinian Community of the Conversion is one of the most lively and growing young monastic communities on the Camino. It is alive and well, and still at working at Albergue Sta Maria in Carrion de los Condes, with help from volunteer hospitaleros from many countries.
Sometimes the sisters go on retreat and leave the volunteers in charge. Pilgrims are still fed and housed and offered a chance to hear Mass next door. What more could they ask for?
Even singing nuns need a holiday now and then.

 

[Natique2]

I was at the singalong last week with four nuns and many pilgrims from both the albergue and other lodging. There was an introduction for each pilgrim, and several even played songs on the guitar that everyone tried to join in. After, at the pilgrim mass, the nuns passed out a small gift after the pilgrim blessing. It was lovely…

That’s terrific! Was it on a weekend or does this occur daily?

 

[Natique2]

Sounds like a rumor started by a pilgrim who expected nice singing nuns and found just some boring old ordinary hospitaleros! Unmet expectations! I didn't see any nuns, so they're all GONE FOREVER!
The Augustinian Community of the Conversion is one of the most lively and growing young monastic communities on the Camino. It is alive and well, and still at working at Albergue Sta Maria in Carrion de los Condes, with help from volunteer hospitaleros from many countries.
Sometimes the sisters go on retreat and leave the volunteers in charge. Pilgrims are still fed and housed and offered a chance to hear Mass next door. What more could they ask for?
Even singing nuns need a holiday now and then.

If I am unable to stay with the nuns, can I still go to the sing along and the Mass?

 

[J Willhaus]

You can go to Vespers and mass. When I was there people did come in from the street.

 

[KB Jaffe]

That’s terrific! Was it on a weekend or does this occur daily?

I was there on a Sunday, not sure if that was lucky or if they do it everyday…

 

[Aspire2BeMore]

So do you recommend staying at Santa Maria if possible? Or the Espiritu Santo and attending the blessing and Mass etc?

 

[Rebekah Scott]

You can attend the Mass and blessing no matter where you are staying. It's a parish Mass, always open to the public.

 

[Pafayac]

The sisters are from a monastery in the center of Spain. Every week, four among them come to Carrion de los Condes to meet pilgrims.
On the afternoon (6 pm if y remember), a musical time take place in the small garden, this is a great moment. As others wrote, the mass is in the church of the town, next to the albergue.
Il recommend to stay there: it is very nice welcome.

 

[good_old_shoes]

The nuns might not be there in off season maybe, but they always were when I walked by (april/june/july).

I did like the communal meal which was a bit different from other places. Instead of the hospitaleros cooking for everyone, the pilgrims were encouraged to buy something for dinner (bread, salad, fruit...) and/or to cook something from their home country.

All that was then served for dinner. It was amazing, with dishes from all over the world!

A wonderful albergue. Even if the nuns should not be there, the albergue has all one needs - beds, warm showers, a kitchen, a garden to hang clothes to dry, and a church, a baker, and a shop with outdoor/hiking gear next door, as well as a supermarket nearby. Can't go wrong with staying there!