Credentials/passport.

[nathanael]

Hey everyone you have all been really great with answering all my questions since I am a newbie. So here is another, I was told that I would have to apply for my credentials from where I am going to start at. Since I am not a member of any confraternity here in Canada I need to apply to the Roncesvalles Abbey. I would like to obtain my credential before I leave in May, therefore I need an address for this Abbey any suggestions.

Wish me luck on this venture.

niel

 

[Arn]

Niel,

I believe you can get your credential right at the monastery.

Arn

 

[Touva]

just show up in the early afternoon and queue up. you get your credentail and they ask if you want a bed in the albergue. You wake up early the next morning and start following the yellow arrows.

 

[sillydoll]

If you want it before you leave you can order one from Mundicamino. They only charge for postage.
http://www.mundicamino.com (They charge from €5 to €10 to post it to you)

 

[frescotours]

If you are coming from the USA, the American Pilgrims on the Camino (http://www.americanpilgrims.com) can also help you out with the Credential.

Good luck and buen camino!

Alex

 

[dlr47]

Sounds to me as if you are a Canadian (or at least living in Canada). The simplest thing for you to do would be to get your credential from the Canadian Company of Pilgrims. Even though you have to become a member of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims (why not?) to get a credential from them, it only costs $10 to join -- and they will mail it to you for free.

 

[cecelia]

Hi Nathanael,
What everyone has said above is accurate in my experience. I just want to add the comment that credencials are available at all major points along the camino although there has been talk of that changing. I like to get mine at my starting point (just a quirk) which for me (3 times) has been Saint Jean Pied-de-Port. It seems to be part of the ritual. I start at SJPP instead of Roncesvalles because the walk over the mountain is so spectacular I would hate to miss it, although I think my knees are beginning to wish I would start on a gentler slope <grin>.
cecelia

 

[sillydoll]

It is quite cool to get a stamp or two in your credential before you leave home.
This year I walked with a Dominican nun and a Protestant (what a story that could be!!) and each got stamps for us - one from the Catholic Holy Trinity church and the other from St James' before we left for the camino.

 

[nathanael]

Great guys got the Canadian Company of Pilgrims, I believe I am really getting into doing this. A class mate is also going around same time with his brother hopefufully we will hook up althought he he is going on the French side.

Thanks

niel

 

[Trudy]

It would be much easier, and cheaper, to get your credential at the Pilgrim Office in Roncesvalles when you arrive. The cost is 1 or 2 euros. You will need to go there anyway, and fill in paperwork, in order to get the credential stamped. You can also buy scallop shells there to tie onto your backpack.

 

[Arn]

Where ever you get your first sello...it will be a keepsake to pass on down to your youngsters. The credential is more than a passport along the Milky Way...it's a piece of you and all those that have gone before, with you and will in the future. It's You...every step of the way.

It's the late arrival, the delayed departure...the rain storm, the hospitalero with the big heart and the open refugio. It's more than just a record...it's your Camino~

Welcome!
Arn

 

[WolverineDG]

Where ever you get your first sello...it will be a keepsake to pass on down to your youngsters. The credential is more than a passport along the Milky Way...it's a piece of you and all those that have gone before, with you and will in the future. It's You...every step of the way.

It will also help you remember where you slept the night before. :mrgreen:

Kelly

 

[Arn]

Kelly,

I seriously doubt I can remember...so having a sello is at least a start :twisted:

To be completely honest...for the first time in a long time, I do want to recall what I've done in the past few weeks and, when I look back be happy I did.

Thanks...more than you know!
Arn

 

[sillydoll]

You can get sellos at bars, cafes, restaurants, tourism office, police station, post office, hotels, albergues, churches, museums - just about every place has them.
In 2002 I used up one-and-a-half credentials and this year I filled up four credentials. When you start walking in Galicia you will need at least two sellos per day from Sarria (or your other 100km to go place).

 

[nathanael]

Hi there could you explain the sellos a bit further for those of us who are new. I had presumed that very time you stopped at a refugio you had your credentials stamped and that was it? Enlighten me please. :|

Many thanks.
niel

 

[spursfan]

You should have a minimum of 1 stamp per day (or 2 per day just to be on the safe side if your pilgrimage starts within Galicia such as Sarria) - stamps can be obtained from refuges, bars, churches - though one with only stamps from bars might be frowned upon !

Some pilgrims want to have as many stamps as possible - I wanted to have as few as possible in my passport

 

[brendan nolan]

Hi Nathanael,
You may/may not know the origins of the 'Credencial'
In earlier times the pilgrim would obtain a letter from bishop/parish priest stating that they were a genuine pilgrim to Santiago. The pilgrim would then show this document at the various monasteries and places of welcome along the way and be received accordingly. There was no danger in those days of pilgrims hopping on a bus or taking a taxi! But I'm sure that if pilgrims were offered a lift on a cart they would surely accept, unless they had been specifically been forbidden if they were doing the pilgrimage as a punishment/penance. The document showed that they were not vagabonds or free loaders. In troubled times the document would also help the pilgrim to gain safe passage, but this wasn't always guaranteed.
So the 'sello' today is meant to show that you travelled under your own steam and therefore can claim the 'Compostela'. There are some refugios, eg the CSJ one at Rabanal that will only accept pilgrims who have cycled/walked carrying their own packs.
Buen Camino
Brendan

 

[Arn]

Here's a point needing clarification:

It's my understanding that while "commercial" lodging do take reservations as a matter of course..."refugios/albergue/hostels"
- do not take reservations,
- do take walking folks...before cyclists, horseback
- do not allow for "relay" reservations, i.e., someone who drives ahead to reserve a spot for a walker

Is this close to reality?

Thanks

Arn

 

[sillydoll]

Your understandings are correct for state, municipal, church and some private sponsored albergues/refuges.
However, there are many privately run pilgrim refuges/refugios that do take bookings, will accept baggage arriving in a taxi and pilgrims arriving by bus.
When we were in Portomarin and realised that Finn was going to have to walk to Palas do Rei the next day (26kms) we phoned one of the Red de Albergues pilgrim refuges (Albergue Buen Camino) and reserved a room for four people. That way we could take our time, arrive late and know that we had a bed at the end of the day.
I think that supply is trying to keep up with demand with more and more enterprising folk opening private pilgrim refuges, some offering different types of accommodation. The new albergue in Terradillos offers beds in dormitories for 6 euros, 8 bed rooms (4 double bunks) for 7 euros, 4 bed rooms with en suite bathroom for 8 euros. Some even offer couples a 2 bed room.
In many places scouts come out to meet pilgrims on the paths with leaflets about their new albergues and many stick posters on waymarks and stelle.

 

[sillydoll]

Hola peregrino-Niel,
For some pilgrims, receiving the Compostela is the cherry on the top of their pilgrimage.
For me though, the credential is the most treasured souvenir of my pilgrimages - both to Santiago and to Rome.
A camino credential has 40 squares for sellos (inked rubber stamps) and I filled four credentials with stamps -from places I drank cafe solos with friends, at places I ate lunch and dinner, at refuges and inns where I stayed, churches we visited, cathedrals, museums etc. Each one is a momento to remind me of that place and some are very precious indeed.
The credential is your 'passport' to staying in the pilgrim refuges (albergues) so you do have them stamped there. The pilgrim office will check the stamps for the last 100km you've walked before giving you the Compostela.

 

[vinotinto]

If you are coming from the USA, the American Pilgrims on the

I'm not sure I would count on them for a credencial - I requested one from their website long before I left, and I never got it (I think someone else on this board had the same experience). I ended up getting mine in Bordeaux, France at the Tourist Office for 6 Euros, along with my first stamp.

Perhaps they had a website glitch, but I would have a credencial backup plan if I were you. As other posters have said, there are many places to get them... :arrow:

 

[Arn]

On the American Pilgram...It's over several weeks since I've been in contact with them, I believe they're in a reorganization process. With the Holy Days, they're probably a bit behind...probably understaffed.

Again, you can pick of a credential easily as mentioned above.

Buen Camino
Arn

 

[cecelia]

Arn said "It's my understanding that while "commercial" lodging do take reservations as a matter of course..."refugios/albergue/hostels"
- do not take reservations,
- do take walking folks...before cyclists, horseback
- do not allow for "relay" reservations, i.e., someone who drives ahead to reserve a spot for a walker"

Hi Arn,
What you have said is usually but not always true. In fact this spring I arrived at St Domingo de la Calzada to find that both albergues and most hostals & pensions were fully booked by bicycles who had not yet arrived. They told about 10 or 15 of us that if we waited a couple of hours - until after 4:00 when the bicycles arrived - there might be a few mattresses available on the floor. Even the albergues are not immune to commercialism from time to time. I chose to walk on to Granon (another 8-10 km I believe which I knew was always a delight). There you sleep in the bell tower of the church, make and enjoy a communal dinner. It's basic (mattresses on the floor) but it has the feeling that most albergues had a few years ago and no longer retain. That is - you are welcomed as an individual when you go in, offered a seat, given a glass (or even two) of water before you are expected to do anything else. There is no charge but donations are accepted. You contribute in whatever way you can to the content, preparation and cleanup of the meal. There is no judgment if you are not Catholic. All are truly welcomed. Regrettably, many of the albergues have lost this in their haste to deal with increasing crowds. The experience now can be more like - line up here, show me your compostela, give me your money, go to bed 59. Remember though that these are all volunteers trying to cope with increasingly large and often increasingly demanding crowds.
There is so much to enjoy on this camino - for some- the smaller albergues are part of that. I recommend that you don't always go for the obvious albergues in the cities. Try the others as well.
Buen camino, cecelia

 

[vinotinto]

There is so much to enjoy on this camino - for some- the smaller albergues are part of that. I recommend that you don't always go for the obvious albergues in the cities. Try the others as well.

I agree. The in-between albergues were some of my favorites, often small (so not crowded), quiet, privately ran by people with a servant attitude, full of character, and sometimes even a fine onsite communal meal. Examples include the albergue in St. Xulien, the Roncal albergue in Cizur Menor, one in Ventosa, and Albergue Maralotx at Cirauqui).

The more commercial ones tended to be newer and nicer, but they might be a bit too touristy for some (selling trinkets, a bar/restaurant atmosphere, more impersonal manner, etc.). Ones I liked include the restaurant/albergue in Uterga, a new one right outside of Belorado, and the one with the restaurant on top of it in Portomarin.

And some of my least favorite albergues were the large ones, or ones that were municipal or church-ran (of course, some were high on my list as well, like the Confraternity of St. James Albergue in Rabanal).

Keep in mind that there are quite a few along the way - there's no way you can stay in them all on a single trip. But good ones make great memories, while bad ones can spawn interesting tales... :arrow:

 

[Arn]

Cecelia,

Thanks so much for the insight on what "may" happen. I'm looking forward to discovering if my usual "you got to be shi88ing me" attitude will be tempered by my experiences on the Camino. I'd don't suffer fools gladly and, when I try to make a point...often become the fool myself.

My sense is that the more "commercialized" albergues/hostels probably aren't my cup of tea in any case. I like the idea of sleeping in a bell tower.

There's also the possibility that since I'm walking in April...the total numbers of pilgrims of any stripe will not be large.

Thanks again,
Salude!

Arn

 

[cecelia]

Hi Arn - and anybody else who's reading,
Maybe it's all about this: we tend to live in a rule bound society where things generally go better for us if we learn (and obey) the rules. So we hear that the rules are "such and such" and go along assuming that is the rule and everybody knows it. In fact - it may be that no such rule exists. People who live and work on the camino also need to earn a living. So if they are offered a full house guaranteed by a group of bikers - why wouldn't they accept?
I'm not a biker but in support of them - they put on far greater distances each day than any walker and they frequently have a bit longer day than most walkers. I think they're just as entitled to a spot as walkers are. I feel that I am a visitor, a foreigner to Spain and to make things doubly bad, I'm not even Catholic on this camino that has been dominated and supported almost entirely by Catholics since about 940. So if things don't go quite the way I hoped or planned, I figure it's up to me to stretch myself and cope with the reality of the moment. And sometimes it's a real bonus to end up in a place like Grañon.
Boy - am I ever off topic here. Apologies to those who like to stay on track.
Muy buen camino Arn
cecelia

 

[Deirdre]

Cecelia wrote: There is so much to enjoy on this camino - for some- the smaller albergues are part of that. I recommend that you don't always go for the obvious albergues in the cities. Try the others as well.

I would agree wholeheartedly with that! I forewent (am I making up words here???) the big towns (Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, Leon, etc.) for the smaller towns before and after and generally had a wonderful experience in the albergues. Although I (and many others) have posted much information about albergues here a couple stand out in my mind - The Knights of Malta church at Cizur Menor, the Church in Viana, obvioulsy Grañon, Tosantos, the German Alberbue in La Faba, among others.

I stopped into the many churches, restaurantes and bars along the Way and have many, many stamps in my passport. I really enjoy looking at the colour and variety and fondly remembering the people and places who were with me when I got this stamp in Navarrete or that stamp in the bar in El Acebo...in some towns the stamps are left out and you can imprint your own credencial when you stop to visit (such is the case in the church in La Faba).

You will also meet "seasoned" Pilgrims along the Way who will guide you as well - tell you stories regarding the best of the albergues. We were fortunate enough to meet Pedro in Viana (a PIlgrim from San Sebastian who was traveling with his friend's 8 year old son Tomás) and traveled with him a good few days. He could always find us a morning "cafe con leche" and a great albergue.

I also want to comment on the cyclists....but don't feel it is appropriate on this thread. I'll look for another or make a new one for that.
Happy New Year and Buen Camino,

 

[Arn]

IDeirdre wrote: also want to comment on the cyclists....but don't feel it is appropriate on this thread. I'll look for another or make a new one for that.

I've been mulling over the many comments on this topic and agree with Deirdre and Cecelia this is not the proper thread...so...THAB is where I'm going.

Buen Camino

Arn

 

[sillydoll]

As most of you know, there has been some confusion about whether or not credentials issued by confraternities outside of Spain would be accpeted at the Pilgrim's Office. The CSJ has released this news from Spain:

There is not any change for you or for any association outside Spain. The decision not to accept at the Pilgrim's Office more than the credential of the cathedral from 2009 refers only to Spain. And here we have written to all the Associations of Friends of the Way and other institutions who have edited their own badge.
The main reason is to ensure that adequate information is made of a sense of pilgrimage of Christian pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Apostle and the conditions for receiving the "Compostela". Therefore, as you continue the process until now, trying, as far as possible that the pilgrims received the blessing of the pilgrims at the start of his pilgrimage.
I hope this will clarify the issue definitively.

 

[nathanael]

I am sorry but that last message about credentials not being accepted is not too clear. Am I assuming that you are saying the credentials we receive from our home bound confraternities from outside of Spain will not be accepted at Compostella.

nathanael

 

[sillydoll]

No, it means just the opposite.
Credentials issued by bona fide Confraternities in other countries will be accpeted:

There is not any change for you or for any association outside Spain.

But, for people living in Spain, only credentials issued by the Xunta will be accepted at the pilgrim's office from 2009.
In the past few years many different credentials have been printed by various individuals, tour companies, clubs etc. These will no longer be accepted.
While we were sitting outside an albergue in Galicia, a tourbus carrying Oriental tourists stopped outside. They all went into the albergue to stamp their credentials, which were the official, fold out credentials issued by the Xunta. Then they all got back into the bus and drove off. Perhaps it was just a souvenir for them, and perhaps they would not be presenting them at the Pilgrim's Office for a compostela - but, this is the type of thing the Xunta are trying to stop.

 

[nathanael]

Deirdre, thanks for the clarification on the credentials its just that the message that had been posted by someone was not very clear. You have explained the situation well again thanks.
To the individual who sent me the web listings for volunteering thanks but I have decided to just do the Camino and enjoy this and not get involved in being Hospitalero. The reason that I want to be Volunteer was for my University field placement which involved doing 250 hours of volunteering ( about 2 months ) which would give a credit for my M.Div. There is too much red tape involved with this from the University and one Albergue stated they had volunteers for 15 days only. So I will forget it and thus have made a good decision and just enjoy this journey. Again everyone thanks, at the moment I am awaiting for my credential from the Canadian Company of Pilgrims.

Peace and joy everyone.
nathanael

 

[Arn]

Nathanael,

You are already doing your

my University field placement which involved doing 250 hours of volunteering

while "ON the Camino"

Here's my suggestion, propose to your university that while on the Way, you will "help those that need it, speak with those that want it and assists those with a desire for a vocation to find the Way".

Here's my thinking: There are plenty of folks that will find an institution, hospital or other program to do their 250 hours. They will: get to the location, see a few folks..then break for lunch...then in the afternoon...see a few folks and they're outta there at 5pm. In most cases, their service covers a five day work week. Over a two month period (60 days), they will meet the 250 hour requirement. In the evenings, their life will most likely revert to "normal"...they can get away from the "service" mode and relax and recharge their batteries.

Now you, on the other hand, will be walking with folks in company, you will share their stories, you will sleep where they sleep, you will cook and eat what they eat, and at some monastery's/chapels you can serve the local priest with his daily chores, or service ...but more importantly, you will be among your fellow peregrinos 24/7. When it becomes obvious to your fellow peregrinos that you are "approachable" you will have more to do than all your fellows at university that choose a more traditional way to satisfy their 250 hours of service. Taking in consideration that you must sleep, sometime, on the outside you will be "serving" (over a 30 day Camino) approx. 540 hours of service in DIRECT contact.

Now, I'm considered a hard ass when it comes to successful completion of the mission and, even I can see the benefit and accept the Way as your service. Give it a go...if they say no, what have you lost...nothing. And you will be with us, your fellow peregrinos along the Milky Way.

Buen Camino and best of luck!

Arn

 

[oursonpolaire]

The sello-ed credencial will be one of your favourite souvenirs, as well as a handy aide-mémoire to remind you of the date when you were in a particular place (an unkind friend suggested that it would double as a useful alibi should I be charged for some terrible crime--"No my Lord, I was in a smelly albergue in Belorado that night. Many foreigners were snoring and breaking wind.")

I had my credencial signed & sealed by the outgoing Bishop of Ottawa as his last official act (long story), but there is much to be said for having one's parish (for churchgoers) or the local group placing the first sello. After all, the real beginning is not in SJPP, but when we leave our home town.

 

[Arn]

Another step closer to My Camino.

I've just left the Richmond (Virginia) Diocese office and NOW HAVE my very first sello. As Sil and others have recommended...I've begun MyWay right here in Virginia. It may seem a small thing...but it's the small things that often count in the end.

I was very impressed with the Diocese's Pastoral Office staff, not only did the Bishop's Special Assistant know if the Compostela, but the receptionist told me of several friends that had made the pilgrimage and some of their stories.

Gosh, two events in two days. Yesterday I ordered my poncho from Altus and today my sello.

The Class of 2008 is making progress every day.

Buen Camino,

Arn

 

[sillydoll]

Hey Arn ... that is really great! Your first sello.
I also get one from the St James' Anglican Church - the only St James' in Durban.
In 2002 they celebrated their centenary. I contacted them and offered to take a message to the cathedral in Santiago. I met the Archdeacon and he gave me a letter to take to Santiago.
When I arrived at the Pilgrim's Office, the young lady suggested we wait to see Don Jaime after the mass and give it to him personally. He didn't speak any English so she translated. At first he misunderstood and thought I was bringing him a letter from Dublin - instead of Durban, which he had never heard of. Subsequently, the Archdioces wrote a lovely letter to St James' congratulating them on their 100 years in Africa.
I did a quick intenet search of Virginia and found SIX St James' Churches in Virgina! Perhaps you could fill up a whole page with St James' sellos!

Here they are:

Saint James Episcopal Church:
1205 W. Franklin St.
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 355-1779
http://www.doers.org/

St. James Armenian Church
834 Pepper Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23226
Telephone: (804) 282-3818
Fax: (804) 285-3833
http://www.stjamesva.org/

St James United Holy Church
16 E 28th St
Richmond, VA 23224
(804) 233-7862

St James Baptist Church
2169 New Market Rd
Richmond, VA 23231
(804) 795-2669

Saint James the Less
Episcopal Church
125 Beverly Road
Ashland, VA 23005
(804) 798-6336
Fax: (804) 752-2115
http://www.stjamestheless.com/

Saint James Catholic Church
510 W Poythress St
Hopewell, VA 23860
(804) 458-9223

 

[KiwiNomad06]

I hadn't even thought about any local St James! There is a St James (Catholic) primary school here in my city, just around the corner from the school I have been teaching at.
I am not really planning to get a credential until I arrive in France. (I haven't heard of any way of getting one in New Zealand, and the British CSJ membership is costly in NZ dollars.) So I can't really get a stamp here locally for my credential. But I must approach the school in case they would like me to send them anything from Spain. I hadn't even thought of that!!!
Margaret

 

[Arn]

Thanks Sil,

I may just walk around Richmond and possibly cover an easy 100Km getting there.

Another Good Idea fro SA!

Ta
Arn

 

[Deirdre]

What a great idea having the Archdiocese stamp your credencial. I didn't even think they would have stamps! I may just have to copy that here in CT! I am only a short distance from our Diocese of Bridgeport office and know the Bishop who has visited us at Prep a number of times. This could be the start of something!

I'm planning on finding the beginning of the Camino de Madrid when I arrive there in two weeks with my students...
I still havent' figured out how to make photos small enough to post here, but I'll certainly take one of the first "flecha amarilla" that I find in Madrid! I"m not taking a computer with me this time, but I'll post from an internet cafe.

Congratulations again, Arn. Another milestone!

Buen Camino,

 

[sillydoll]

Hi Maggie,
You can order the official concertina credential from Mundicamino.com
You download their CREDENCIAL DEL PEREGRINO form - email it back to them and they will post your credential to you. They charged about 10 euro to post one to South Africa.
Hugs,

 

[KiwiNomad06]

sil, I am not having much luck with the mundicamino site! I tried them once before... and just got something back in Spanish I couldn't understand. :shock:
I have tried again today, and I used the English site to communicate with them, but again have a Spanish reply. I definitely clicked on the credential button on their English page. It looks like I am being asked to either reply to an address or not reply to an address... I think I am just subscribed to a newsletter at this stage! Quite confusing..... and to think that I had the audacity to think that my current efforts to learn a smidgeon of Spanish were bearing some fruit. I have been well put in my place

 

[sillydoll]

I'll mail the application form to you as well as the email address. I had a few euro so I sent them money in a dark envelope and they sent me the credentials.

This was their instruction:

Hola Sylvia, enviamos muchas credenciales a todos los lugares del mundo.
Las normas a seguir son las siguientes:
Credencial del peregrino:
Te adjunto la solicitud oficial para que nos pongas tus datos y podamos
cumplimentarte la credencial. Cuando lo hayas rellenado todo, nos lo remites
a la dirección que figura a pie de firma, acompañado de 3,00 si es para
territorio nacional, 5,00, si es para Europa y 10,00 (por credencial)
resto del mundo. Los euros, si es en moneda, juntamente con la solicitud, se envían
pegados con cinta adhesiva dentro de unos cartoncitos para que disimule la forma de las
monedas y así evitar los frecuentes robos.) No enviar sellos.

Nuestros datos:

Mundicamino, S. L.
c/. Salamanca, 2- bajo
09004- Burgos
Tel. 947-260194

Si lo deseas o te es más cómodo, para el ingreso del dinero, te podemos
facilitar un número de cuenta.

Un cordial saludo.
Jaime
http://www.mundicamino.com

 

[KiwiNomad06]

sil,
This morning I have woken up and the English instructions have all arrived in my inbox!! Does need a ten euro note though.
Thanks for your help!
Margaret

 

[Brewster]

Ok, There's lot's of info on this page, and I want to ask a specific question (or two or three):

1) I missed the deadline for applying for a normal credeitial by mail, can I just show up at oviedo on the camino primitivo and go too the cathedral and ask the priest for a credencial?

2) :!: How do I determine where I can get a credential from in OVIEDO on the camino primitivo, if a specific place isn't listed.

-basically, I'm really pumped to begin the camino, and I'm worried that my trip could be ruined if I can't pick up a credential en route. Some of the most important parts of the camino for me will be to go to mass, and stay at the catholic albergues, will this be impossible if I can't apply ahead of time?

 

[sillydoll]

Peregrino-Brewster, I mailed the tourism office in Oviedo to ask where you could get your credencial and they said:

Good morning,
I refer you where you can obtain the credential:

ALBERGUE DE PEREGRINOS DE OVIEDO
c / San Pedro Mestallón, 1
tel. 985228525.
Yours sincerely,
Tourist Office MUNICIPAL OPVIEDO

Now don't you worry. You will get your pilgrim passport and you will have a wonderful walk to Santiago.
Hugs,