The end of our pilgrim mission.

Rodrigo Cerqueira · May 31, 2021

In the last 13 years, the Associação de Amigos dos Caminhos de Fátima, has carried out the mission of helping thousands of pilgrims to make the Caminho towards Fatima and Santiago through the fields, safely and with tranquility. To achieve this greater objective, we painted arrows, help to create albergues.

Due to the proliferation of the Portuguese Turism Ofice paths, (Caminho do Centenário, Rota Carmelita and other projects under development to the east and west of Fátima) that "ran over" our paths, our mission is no longer possible. It became a competition against public entities, which due to obtaining European funds, developed a sudden interest in pilgrims.

Although our goodwill is unlimited, our resources are not. For that reason and with great commotion, our mission to help pilgrims came to an end.

Our website (www.caminho.com.pt) has been deactivated. When possible, it will be reformulated due to the context.

It was a pleasure to walk together. And if we went back we would repeat everything, once again, because it was worth it. Thank you for making our lives richer with your Pilgrim Spirit.

A very tight pilgrim hug.
Rodrigo Cerqueira

davebugg · May 31, 2021

I am sorry to hear this news, Rodrigo. I know from your past posts how much this project and work meant to you, and I can only imagine how hurt and upset you must feel as you came to this decision. My prayers are with you, friend.

Rodrigo Cerqueira · May 31, 2021

davebugg said:
I am sorry to hear this news, Rodrigo. I know from your past posts how much this project and work meant to you, and I can only imagine how hurt and upset you must feel as you came to this decision. My prayers are with you, friend.

Thank you Dave for your kind words. Unfortunately in the next months the pilgrims that visit Portugal will understand what is happening to the Caminhos.

JohnLloyd · May 31, 2021

This is sad news to read, Rodrigo.

I walked from Porto to Santiago in May 2019, so I would have been pointed in the right direction by your markers along the way.

For that, I thank you and your colleagues.

mspath · May 31, 2021

l am sorry to read your sad news.
It was always a pleasure to read your updates on this forum.
May you and your colleagues find peace.
Thank you for your efforts.

Robo · May 31, 2021

Sad news. Let's hope the routes through Portugal don't merely become 'tourist' paths.......
Thank you for all your efforts and support of Pilgrims, which I know has been considerable.

lovingkindness · May 31, 2021

Bless you, @Rodrigo Cerqueira . Thank you for all that you have done for us.

Regards
Lovingkindness

Sean Lad · May 31, 2021

All pilgrim routes are tourist paths
live and let live

Camino Chrissy · May 31, 2021

When I walked the Portuguese out of Porto in 2019 I occasionally saw the signs with arrows leading to Fatima when they veered off in a different direction.
Thank you for all you have accomplished helping pilgrims.

VNwalking · May 31, 2021

Rodrigo Cerqueira said:
Although our goodwill is unlimited, our resources are not. For that reason and with great commotion, our mission to help pilgrims came to an end.

I can only echo Dave's words - I am very sorry, Rodrigo. Many thanks go to you and your colleagues - may you all find solace in a job very well done, from the heart. Success is never guaranteed, even if it is deserved. But goodness following goodness is. You have helped many, so may you be blessed just as you have offered the same!

jmcarp · May 31, 2021

Rodrigo Cerqueira said:
In the last 13 years, the Associação de Amigos dos Caminhos de Fátima, has carried out the mission of helping thousands of pilgrims to make the Caminho towards Fatima and Santiago through the fields, safely and with tranquility. To achieve this greater objective, we painted arrows, help to create albergues.

Due to the proliferation of the Portuguese Turism Ofice paths, (Caminho do Centenário, Rota Carmelita and other projects under development to the east and west of Fátima) that "ran over" our paths, our mission is no longer possible. It became a competition against public entities, which due to obtaining European funds, developed a sudden interest in pilgrims.

Although our goodwill is unlimited, our resources are not. For that reason and with great commotion, our mission to help pilgrims came to an end.

Our website (www.caminho.com.pt) has been deactivated. When possible, it will be reformulated due to the context.

It was a pleasure to walk together. And if we went back we would repeat everything, once again, because it was worth it. Thank you for making our lives richer with your Pilgrim Spirit.

A very tight pilgrim hug.
Rodrigo Cerqueira

So sorry to hear this. When we walked from Porto to Santiago in 2017, we passed many pilgrims following the blue arrows along the shared path as they were going to Fátima for the canonization of Jacinta and Francisco. Thanks to you and your association for the work you did to support this pilgrimage trail.

peregrina2000 · May 31, 2021

I am very sorry to hear this news Rodrigo. I know you have helped many forum members over the years, and this must have been a very tough decision. I think it is safe to say that while the tourism offices may dump lots of money into promotion, marking, and fancy marketing campaigns, without on-the-ground buy-in the caminhos are unlikely to flourish and become self-sustaining. I wish you and your organization all the best.

Deleted member 73526 · May 31, 2021

Thank you Rodrigo - I treasure the beautiful credencial that you sent to me. You or your colleagues are talented designers. I look forward to using that credencial to make a pilgrimage to Fatima some day, somehow.
I am sorry that the public entities didn't seek ways to cooperate with the caminho angels who already devoted so much energy in the caminho. It must be distressing for you to wind up your mission. Thanks again for your efforts that helped so many pilgrims.

Former member 49149 · May 31, 2021

I join in saying sorry that it has come to this, when so much effort and love have been poured into the project. Perhaps another door will open, a different way to offer service.

Morning Waters · May 31, 2021

I also walked the Camino Portugues in May of 2019 and want to add my gratitude for all that your group has done to cherish and serve the Caminos to Fatima and Santiago. Bless you all and thank you so very much.

Elle Bieling · Jun 1, 2021

@Rodrigo Cerqueira, please continue to hang around the forum! Your knowledge and information has been invaluable to this community! I am so sad to hear the news. Bless you for all you have done!

Mycroft · Jun 1, 2021

Rodrigo Cerqueira said:
In the last 13 years, the Associação de Amigos dos Caminhos de Fátima, has carried out the mission of helping thousands of pilgrims to make the Caminho towards Fatima and Santiago through the fields, safely and with tranquility. To achieve this greater objective, we painted arrows, help to create albergues.

Due to the proliferation of the Portuguese Turism Ofice paths, (Caminho do Centenário, Rota Carmelita and other projects under development to the east and west of Fátima) that "ran over" our paths, our mission is no longer possible. It became a competition against public entities, which due to obtaining European funds, developed a sudden interest in pilgrims.

Although our goodwill is unlimited, our resources are not. For that reason and with great commotion, our mission to help pilgrims came to an end.

Our website (www.caminho.com.pt) has been deactivated. When possible, it will be reformulated due to the context.

It was a pleasure to walk together. And if we went back we would repeat everything, once again, because it was worth it. Thank you for making our lives richer with your Pilgrim Spirit.

A very tight pilgrim hug.
Rodrigo Cerqueira

davebugg and VNwalking have expressed things better than I could. You and your community are and will be blessed.

Rex · Jun 1, 2021

All of the above comments reflect just a bit of the help you and your organization provided to all of us who have walked from Lisboa to Santiago in the past few years. Obrigado!!

Rodrigo Cerqueira · Jun 1, 2021

Thank you to all the pilgrim for your kind words that warmed my pilgrim heart.
As a way to thank you for your beautiful messages, I leave a video, with 1/7 of the +7,000 we painted in this 13 years to Fátima and Santiago. Thank you pilgrims.

Barbara · Jun 1, 2021

Could you perhaps post a Gpx file of YOUR route that Pilgrims could follow? Maybe that way people could see what has happened? Hugs.

Rodrigo Cerqueira · Jun 1, 2021

Barbara said:
Could you perhaps post a Gpx file of YOUR route that Pilgrims could follow? Maybe that way people could see what has happened? Hugs

Barbara thank you for your suggestion. Pilgrim can access the Caminhos on this Google Maps https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=15ZsZqvERryHn3BH4iRN0KTmQ-OtJpicY&usp=sharing You can download the KML file and convert to different gps formats.
The red lines on the Caminho Central of Santiago and the north of Fátima are the Portuguese Tourism Office. Pilgrim Hugs

Friend from Barquinha · Tuesday at 4:28 AM

A local (central Portuguese) news source reported recently on the newly marked routes to Fatima from 1/ Serta 2/Tomar and 3/ Abrantes (east of Vila Nova da Barquinha on the Tejo/Tagus). Here's a...

The end of our pilgrim mission.

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