Pilgrims Passport - Baptism Required?

[sallygardens]

Hi
I am not religous but I am spiritual and wish to walk the Camino soon. Can I still get a Pilgrims Passport or is evidence of baptism required?
Thank you

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Baptism is not required. You can get a free credential from the link below.

 

[grayland]

Actually, nothing is required to obtain a credencial. The only question asked is where you are starting and if you are going on foot or bicycle or horse. There are No requirements.

 

[methodist.pilgrim.98]

Sally, I have been walking the Camino since 1998. This is the first time anyone has raised this issue.

It is a good question to ask and the replies so far are correct.

You may be aware that a question linked to this is whether it is acceptable for a non-Catholic to take the Mass on the Camino? This has caused considerable debate in other posts with some intense discussion taking place. If you are interested type in "Mass" in the search engine.

However, you might wish to know - though you may already do so as you live in Ireland - that the Catholic church requires that all who take the Mass should be baptised. They do recognise that anyone baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in a non-Catholic church has undergone valid baptism.

Whether as a non-baptised person you would wish to go to Mass and receive the bread is a question you might want to consider.

 

[WanderingChristian]

Being baptized is not necesary for making the Camino de Santiago. Many walkers are non-Christians or atheists/agnostics and we love them as our brothers and sisters.

As to attending Mass along the Camino, I say go for it. My one bit of advice would be to refrain from receiving Eucharist (bread and wine) unless you're Catholic. For us, the bread and wine are trans-substantiated into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The Eucharist is the ultimate manifestation of our faith and it is extremely sacred by its very nature and institution by Christ Himself. If you feel drawn to the altar during Communion, cross your arms over your chest ( thin Egyptian mummy) and the priest or deacon will give you a blessing.

 

[micbook]

Many people walk the Camino for reasons other than religious ones (spiritual, personal growth, sports, etc.) If you start in SJPP or any other major town along the Camino, you can obtain your pilgrim's passport there. I got mine at the pilgrims office in Saint Jean.

Buen Camino!
Michal
--
http://michalrinkevich.wordpress.com/tag/camino-de-santiago/

 

[tyrrek]

Hi All!

Yes, the issue of non-Catholics attending Mass was tested to destruction last year so I'd suggest not starting it up again. It was all my fault for sparking the debate, but I think it got slightly unpleasant at times. If you want to read what happened you can find it here.
el-camino-frances/topic11482.html

Buen Camino!

 

[grayland]

Hi All!

Yes, the issue of non-Catholics attending Mass was tested to destruction last year so I'd suggest not starting it up again. It was all my fault for sparking the debate, but I think it got slightly unpleasant at times. If you want to read what happened you can find it here.
el-camino-frances/topic11482.html

Buen Camino!

It would be a VERY good idea not to re-visit the Mass conversation again in this thead. Look at the thread posted by tyrrek if interested.

 

[methodist.pilgrim.98]

tested to destruction.

I think that is the most apt phrase I have read on this forum in a long time.

Good one.

 

[gabolga]

You do not have to be baptised to get the passport, but to get the Compostella at the conclusion of the pilgrimage you have to have completed the walk "pietatis causa" (pious cause) - that is with a "spiritual intent." So long as you have undertaken the pilgrimage with a spiritual intent - you don't have to be baptised to have a spirtual intent - you are entitled to the Compostella. In other words a tourist - who undertook the walk for non-spiritual motives but just to see the countryside or enjoy the walk and the culture and the buildings - would not be entitled to a Compostella, but a "true" pilgrim - who undertook the journey with a spiritual motivation - would .

 

[methodist.pilgrim.98]

Those who do not walk for spiritual purposes can obtain a different sort of certificate which is issued by the pilgrim office in SdC.