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) |
---|
Thanks any insights on timing for entering I am open to paying a fee.You are not doing anything wrong. Unfortunately, a lot of churches are closed much of the time, especially in small villages. You’re in Los Arcos? If so, there is a fabulous church coming up tomorrow in Torres del Rio that will be open if you’re not too early (because it charges a fee) — Santo Sepulcro. Enjoy!
Thanks I was able to get in around mass time. I’d didn’t feel like they were actually holding mass. Signage indicated it opened at 530 but was closer to 7 when it actually opened.Shortage of priests so most rural priests run a few churches rather than one.
Los Arcos church is open for the evening Mass (from 7pm I think) and the morning one too. The incumbent is a wonderful man, and holds a pilgrim blessing, handing out pilgrim prayer cards in various languages that he had printed, after the evening Mass - it is a beautiful church too!
The world has changed ... it is not as it once was ... an open empty church can now be a target for both vandals and thieves, sadly.
sorry, but it takes more than a priest to open the church doors. Why doesn't the municipality make it possible to have churches open by a lay person?Fewer priestly vocations leads directly to greater numbers of closed churches.
Owing to decades of theft, the insurance companies are very firm about keeping the church locked when not in use. Churches are not owned by the municipalities and are therefore not their responsibility-- Spanish politics makes it even more complicated.sorry, but it takes more than a priest to open the church doors. Why doesn't the municipality make it possible to have churches open by a lay person?
Great idea and perhaps the same person could be responsible for maintaining the Portaloos that the Municipality should install as well...sorry, but it takes more than a priest to open the church doors. Why doesn't the municipality make it possible to have churches open by a lay person?
Glad you were able to attend.Thanks I was able to get in around mass time. I’d didn’t feel like they were actually holding mass. Signage indicated it opened at 530 but was closer to 7 when it actually opened.
Agree - Los Arcos mass was a great experience with a small group of pilgrims.Shortage of priests so most rural priests run a few churches rather than one.
Los Arcos church is open for the evening Mass (from 7pm I think) and the morning one too. The incumbent is a wonderful man, and holds a pilgrim blessing, handing out pilgrim prayer cards in various languages that he had printed, after the evening Mass - it is a beautiful church too!
The world has changed ... it is not as it once was ... an open empty church can now be a target for both vandals and thieves, sadly.
That it's beautiful is putting it mildly. I remember once I went inside los arcos church and a mass was about to begin. Not used to catholic churches I saw a balcony and thought it would be a perfect place to sit. Turned out to be the place where the choir sat, so when they arrived they looked very weird at me. I quickly snug out out again.Shortage of priests so most rural priests run a few churches rather than one.
Los Arcos church is open for the evening Mass (from 7pm I think) and the morning one too. The incumbent is a wonderful man, and holds a pilgrim blessing, handing out pilgrim prayer cards in various languages that he had printed, after the evening Mass - it is a beautiful church too!
The world has changed ... it is not as it once was ... an open empty church can now be a target for both vandals and thieves, sadly.
Thanks so much this is very helpful! I was able to get into a church today and am going to try the 645 trick today. Appreciate the insight to tipping as well.Owing to decades of theft, the insurance companies are very firm about keeping the church locked when not in use. Churches are not owned by the municipalities and are therefore not their responsibility-- Spanish politics makes it even more complicated.
In my experience churches along the Francese are normally open at about a quarter to 7 when parishioners say the rosary before the evening mass. As well, there is almost always a keyholder available, and the hospitalero/ barkeeper/ neighbour of the church will know who it is. It is considered couth to tip the keyholder a few euro.
I am walking LePuy and thankfully all churches are open.Hi I started walking from Pamplona on Tuesday. I arrived Arco today. Seeking insights please. I’ve been trying to into the churches and for the most part they are closed. What am I doing wrong? Thanks
Some do. When we stayed in the albergue in Bendueños they left the key to the church with the first pilgrim to check in so that we could all visit the church.sorry, but it takes more than a priest to open the church doors. Why doesn't the municipality make it possible to have churches open by a lay person?
Just arrived in SdC. I have also noticed that there are fewer volunteers there to stamp your Pilgrim passport. It’s not just the priests that are getting fewer.Hi I started walking from Pamplona on Tuesday. I arrived Arco today. Seeking insights please. I’ve been trying to into the churches and for the most part they are closed. What am I doing wrong? Thanks
With the new computerised Compostela system the pilgrim office seems to be handling the numbers of arrivals very efficiently. People have been reporting waiting times of just a few minutes. Would having more volunteers in the office with nothing much to do improve matters?Just arrived in SdC. I have also noticed that there are fewer volunteers there to stamp your Pilgrim passport. It’s not just the priests that are getting fewer.
I was referring to the number of open churches on the Portuguese Camino. Not made it around to the Pilgrim Office yet but I agree, I have found the new system fast and efficient.With the new computerised Compostela system the pilgrim office seems to be handling the numbers of arrivals very efficiently. People have been reporting waiting times of just a few minutes. Would having more volunteers in the office with nothing much to do improve matters?
In France on the Podiensis almost all of the churches were open and there were municipal toilets in almost every town. I think that over 400kms I only needed to have a wild toilet stop on 3 occasions and only had 2 churches that were closed. So different from Camino Frances. Mind you, there were very few cafes on the Podiensis open or otherwise to be able to use the loos!Great idea and perhaps the same person could be responsible for maintaining the Portaloos that the Municipality should install as well...
That was my experience as well.In France on the Podiensis almost all of the churches were open.
We found that a lot on the Camino Primitivo as well. Very disappointing when the trek is supposed to be a pilgrimage. Didn’t find out a reason and would be most interested in knowing why…Hi I started walking from Pamplona on Tuesday. I arrived Arco today. Seeking insights please. I’ve been trying to into the churches and for the most part they are closed. What am I doing wrong? Thanks
I think it is because there aren't as many people following the vocation into the priesthood in Spain as there used to be so there aren't the people to staff all of the churches being open all of the time. A single priest will have a circuit of churches and perform mass at different churches on different days. The churches open when the priest is there to conduct the mass. Sometimes there is a local person with the keys to the church and, if you can find a local to ask, they might be able to point you to the right person,We found that a lot on the Camino Primitivo as well. Very disappointing when the trek is supposed to be a pilgrimage. Didn’t find out a reason and would be most interested in knowing why…
I think this is right. Not only are there fewer priests there are reducing ageing congregations, so fewer volunteers. In my village in the south of England the vicar was running four churches until he resigned (with no replacement) and ALL the church wardens are older than me, and I am 70. Until recently the parish magazine was delivered by a lady on a mobility scooter.I think it is because there aren't as many people following the vocation into the priesthood in Spain as there used to be so there aren't the people to staff all of the churches being open all of the time. A single priest will have a circuit of churches and perform mass at different churches on different days. The churches open when the priest is there to conduct the mass. Sometimes there is a local person with the keys to the church and, if you can find a local to ask, they might be able to point you to the right person,
Thank you for your insight, David. Sad state of churches everywhere I think. i followed the Camino with visits to various relatives in the UK, and several of them said their parish only has about 20 people or families And services in that parish rotate between 4 parishes over a month.I think it is because there aren't as many people following the vocation into the priesthood in Spain as there used to be so there aren't the people to staff all of the churches being open all of the time. A single priest will have a circuit of churches and perform mass at different churches on different days. The churches open when the priest is there to conduct the mass. Sometimes there is a local person with the keys to the church and, if you can find a local to ask, they might be able to point you to the right person,