Different credentials

[celinehenriette]

Hi dear fellow pilgrims!

Just a question about credentials. I ordered two credentials and then I joined a pilgrims society thingy and got another one. So now I have 3 and plan to take all of them with me. But the last one is different from the other two. My question: does that matter? I would like to collect as much stamps as possible, the credentials are the best keepsakes of a pilgrimage in my opinion. And I have enough places to visit to collect them, so I think I might need them all.

 

[Anamiri]

They are all official, different only because of the source. My first one came from SJPDP, it's white card, different again. In the movie The Way, they used the white card one from SJPDP. The others look more traditional though I think, I just bought new ones from Ivar.

 

[donalomahony]

The two on the right of your photo are made of paper where the ink from the stamp/sello does not dry quickly.

I suggest you bring a piece of tissue or blotting paper (if this still exists) cut to size to prevent smudging.

 

[Anamiri]

Good to know that, my new one looks the same as the ones on the right.

 

[Purky]

I used up three different ones on a single camino as well; it wasn't an issue at all at the Pilgrim Office.

 

[Waka]

The two on the right of your photo are made of paper where the ink from the stamp/sello does not dry quickly.

I suggest you bring a piece of tissue or blotting paper (if this still exists) cut to size to prevent smudging.

I think you are correct with the first new ones issued from SDC, I have just ordered and received a couple and the material is different so I think they've changed the original material.

 

[celinehenriette]

Thanks so much for all the answers! I think my last minute nerves are getting to me, and everything that is different is suddenly making me worry. But now theres one less thing to worry about again the forum provides!

 

[Deleted member 67185]

There are some really neat looking Credencials / passports. The designs are usually unique to the Society / CoFraternity which has been approved by the Church agency in charge of such matters

Here are some examples:

https://www.caminosociety.com/product-page/pilgrim-passport

https://www.santiago.ca/product/credencial/

http://www.americanpilgrims.com/camino/credential_cover.html

 

[RJM]

They look good to me.
Fill them up. Can't have too many as far as I am concerned. So many interesting and unique sellos out there.

 

[celinehenriette]

The two on the right of your photo are made of paper where the ink from the stamp/sello does not dry quickly.

I suggest you bring a piece of tissue or blotting paper (if this still exists) cut to size to prevent smudging.

The one I used for my Rome pilgrimage was also made of this paper material, i'll bring something to keep in between the paper.

 

[celinehenriette]

There are some really neat looking Credencials / passports. The designs are usually unique to the Society / CoFraternity which has been approved by the Church agency in charge of such matters

Here are some examples:

https://www.caminosociety.com/product-page/pilgrim-passport

https://www.santiago.ca/product/credencial/

http://www.americanpilgrims.com/camino/credential_cover.html

They all look very different, silly me thought there was only The One, but apparently that only happens in Tolkien stories.

 

[brian560]

I am going to get a credential in Porto for the Portugese camino. If I get a spare credential from there, can I use it for the Northern Camino which I will walk after I finish the Portugese camino?

 

[celinehenriette]

I am going to get a credential in Porto for the Portugese camino. If I get a spare credential from there, can I use it for the Northern Camino which I will walk after I finish the Portugese camino?

Yes. It doesn't matter where you start. I start in Vienna and can use the same one as someone who is starting in Porto.

 

[t2andreo]

The two on the right of your photo are made of paper where the ink from the stamp/sello does not dry quickly.

I suggest you bring a piece of tissue or blotting paper (if this still exists) cut to size to prevent smudging.

After discovering the glossy paper problem in July-August 2016, the Pilgrim Office ordered new credentials with more porous paper. They did wait until they consumed the rest of the old supply. As from 2017, the ink no longer smears. There might be some older versions still out there, but they are all valid.

For the record, the 'official' cathedral-issued credential, the one on the right above (on the red tablecloth) is obtained by the Pilgrim Office and made available to churches, albergues, and community associations across Spain at cost. The 2017, and later versions, are of a paper type that accepts sello ink readily and does not smear.

Hope this helps.

 

[donalomahony]

Excellent, thanks for the update!