• For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)
This is a mobile optimized page that loads fast, if you want to load the real page, click this text.

Catholic pilgrims

M

Mary P

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
2018
For those pilgrims who want to attend Mass frequently, or do other religious activities, are services/schedules/places available and accessible during the hours a pilgrim might be likely to want them? Or are most rural churches closed?
 
Camino Ready, Backpacks, Boots etc
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
Just found the threads below - sorry I didn't check them. Maybe they will know...
 
More 2024 Camino Guides available
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Mary, always check with the hospitalero, the person at the bar, and on the church door, as well. Things change and sometimes there is mass when you least expect it, other times it's no longer happening when all your guidebooks say it is. I had it happen both ways.

Mass was a priority for me and between St. Jean and Sarria I was able to attend mass in 24 towns. St. James provides. They almost always include a pilgrim blessing, often unique and very moving.

Also, many little chapels along the trail are open for prayer and reflection. Check the door to see if it opens. Some places that looked abandoned turned out to be open and beautifully cared for inside. Love those surprises!
 
I'm old, fat and slow, so I needed a lot of rest stops. Brought along my rosary and said one decade at every church I passed. Some were closed but I sat on the steps. Some had the most astonishing cemeteries attached. You'd be amazed how refreshing it can be to drop your pack, rest your feet, and recite the prayers for about five minutes.
 
Nate Bissonette said:
Some were closed but I sat on the steps.
Click to expand...
In France, most are open, even the small chapels. My observation was that almost all churches were closed except in cities. Three or four were open for sellos in the hopes of a donation (though none ever implied that a donation was mandatory). Some places included a tour with the sello, Barbadelo, Palas de Rei, and Furelos come to mind.
 
Get a Spanish mobil number + data while on the Camino
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Almost all the churches in Germany and Switzerland were open as well, not to mention a large number of tiny (seats 6-8?) roadside chapels, plus innumerable wayside shrines with crosses or statues.
 
Two years ago we made it a point to visit every church and chapel we could find. If it was locked, we knocked and walked on. If it was opened, we lite a candle. We found many churches closed due to lack of clergy. One priest would say mass in many towns. Mass happened when he arrived. For us it was really hit or miss. We often found we just missed a noontime mass or early evening mass. The bigger cities it was easier to find mass. In the end just asking the locals pointed us in the right direction

Buen Camino
 
In April-May last year, the "places (towns)" where I stayed for the night had pilgrim mass at 7:00 pm in a nearby church.
 
Lightfoot Guide to via Francigena
The 9th edition the Lightfoot Guide will let you complete the journey your way.
In Sarria when I got my sello at the old church they gave out a list of masses in the churches through to SdC. Before that, lots of evening pilgrim mass opportunities, most memorably: Roncesvalles, Los Arcos (stunning when they light up the altar for mass), Carrion de Los Condes, Triacastela, Rabanal. Buen Camino!
 
Reported to me by a pilgrim who visited closed churches and chapels is that often there is a caretaker in town that will unlock the door for you if you can find her or him. You will have to ask around town.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Camino Photo

Most read last week in this forum

Similar threads

T
Help me choose a path for my 3rd Camino as a devout Catholic
Replies
7
Views
1K
Ellann
  • Locked
Catholic Herald article
Replies
11
Views
2K
grayland
Pilgrims of Hope
Replies
1
Views
642
J.Patrick
Menu
Log in
Register