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As a practicing Christian, I am not plaining on doing anything specifically Christain on the road. I understand that some points bare a special significance to other believers. If I might suggest, try to do what I do - talk to God while you walk and see waht happens. You might feel like an idiot the first time, but then if you see something, or get a thought in the silence, try to respond to that.In putting forward my questions below, I’m bearing in mind that one is expected to be delicate when posting in the forum about religious matters. I hope what I’m asking is in the right spirit.
I’m going to be resuming my walk along the Portugues soon (yes!). I’m not a Christian, and so was not especially attentive to Christian themes and points of significance while walking last year. My next time out, I’d like to have a better understanding of what a practicing Christian might do or seek while on the Camino. I wouldn’t have a lot of time for advance reading, but would be happy to put pauses in my walking days for some reading along the way.
I’d also appreciate having more information at hand about religious points of interest from a historical and cultural perspective if there are resources any of you would care to suggest.
Thanks all,
LorneB
Not quite sure what you are looking for, but I have walked the camino as a Christian spiritual discipline, and found it extremely healthful and gratifying, too.
It helps to have a purpose. I did it as a walking prayer for the soul of a friend who had died suddenly, and her parents who were walking with me. I followed in a simplified way the daily hours that Monastics follow, with readings of the Psalms and a few meditations to roll around in my mind as I walked. (these are available as an app from "Give Us This Day.")
I used a rosary to keep my mind from wandering too much, but I did not pray the usual Rosary recitation. When I came to a place in the path with a waymark, a cruceiro, a chapel or a church, I stopped and put my hand on it, returned to the present, and said a prayer for my friend.
In the evenings I attended pilgrim's Masses with my friend's parents. When we got to Santiago I did the required steps for the Holy Year indulgence, (confession, attendance at a cathedral Mass, prayers) and had my Compostela made over in my friend's name, thus crediting my walk to her eternal account. (I'm not a big believer in these grace-bank procedures,, but it was for her parents' sake I did that, it gave them a great deal of peace, I think.)
It may appear a rather odd way to travel, but it made for a truly spiritual camino. It was a great eye-opener for me of what a spectacular Christian infrastructure our ancestors left us, especially in Galicia. The place is tailor-made for just this kind of inner journey.
I kinda doubt a non-believer would benefit in the same way, as it would be simply an intellectual exercise for him, rather than an ongoing conversation in what is a lively interpersonal relationship.
My next time out, I’d like to have a better understanding of what a practicing Christian might do or seek while on the Camino.
I think there are two angles here that would be of interest to you. The first might be called "current Christian practice", which covers a huge swath of possibilities and many previous posters have addressed.Christian themes and points of significance
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