A Walk For St Mary's

15/08/2026

How the Camino Survived Wars, Plagues and Decline – And Revived in the 20th Century
From half a million medieval pilgrims to just a few dozen walkers a year… and then back to over 530,000 in 2025.
The story of Camino de Santiago and a quiet Galician priest.
First Years
At its medieval peak, between the 12th and 13th centuries, as many as 250,000 pilgrims a year — some estimates go much higher — made their way to the tomb of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela.
The Camino was one of the three great Christian pilgrimages, alongside Jerusalem and Rome. It shaped Europe’s roads, hospitals, churches, and imagination.
Then, almost everything that could go wrong did.
Want to read the whole thing? Check out the link https://pectustextor213732.substack.com/p/camino-de-santiago-the-peak-wars?r=1y4zka&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

26/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1929203858015905&set=a.927598578176443&type=3

Happy Feast Day of St. James! ⛪🥾

Today, July 25, we celebrate St. James the Greater, the patron saint of Spain and the apostle whose legacy has inspired pilgrims for more than 1,000 years.

This year's celebration is especially meaningful because it leads us into the 2027 Holy Year (Jacobean Year). A Holy Year is celebrated whenever the Feast of St. James falls on a Sunday—and the next one begins on December 31, 2026, when the Holy Door of the Cathedral of Santiago is opened. The Holy Year continues throughout 2027 and draws pilgrims from around the world seeking a deeper spiritual experience.

Holy Years only occur a few times each generation, following a 6-5-6-11 year cycle. If you've ever dreamed of walking the Camino, 2027 will be an unforgettable time to do it—but it will also be one of the busiest years in recent history.

Today, as we honor St. James, we remember the millions of pilgrims who have walked before us and those who will answer the call in the years ahead.

¡Feliz Día de Santiago! Buen Camino! ❤️

28/06/2026

Source: Facebook

30/01/2026

This page was originally created to support the Camino walk that my friends and I made to help St Mary’s RC Church, Gosport. I am very grateful to say that journey was completed in October, with your generous support.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will share more about the Camino itself: the walking, the travelling, the friendships, and some spiritual reflections along the way.

If you have questions about the Camino, practical or personal, I will be very happy to answer them as I share our experiences.

Once again, thank you to everyone who supported the Camino walk and donated to St Mary’s RC Church in Gosport. Your kindness made the journey possible.

03/01/2026

One of my most memorable moments of 2025 is with this wonderful lot who I was so privileged to be in Spain with for the Camino de Santiago.
We are all celebrating this great feat and we continue to become great friends.
❤️❤️❤️

26/12/2025

For every journey you have taken, every road you have walked, and every rise and fall along the way, I pray that all these be discoveries of faith, of love, and of hope. May the joy of Christ’s birth remain with you always.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

06/12/2025

23/11/2025

If you remember our Jubilee 'Coastal' Walk last 15th of November, I am now sharing with you our prayers and reflections along the way. All of us have copies of this leaflet and I am happy to share it with you, just in case you wish to do a reflective/contemplative walk yourself. We started at St Mary's and finished at St Mary's.
Please feel free to use it.

22/11/2025

Today was a very fruitful day for all of us Pilgrims who attended the Service at Westminster Cathedral.

22 November 2025.
One month ago today, we were walking the Camino. 🙏

22/11/2025

22nd of November is the Feast Day of St Cecilia. She was born in 200-230 AD.
She is one of the seven women, excluding the Blessed Virgin, commemorated by name in the Canon of the Mass.

Saint Cecilia was a Roman virgin martyr and is venerated as the patron of music and musicians. As musicians played at her wedding, Cecilia “sang in her heart to the Lord.” Musical compositions are dedicated to her. She is also known as Cecilia of Rome.

She reminds us of the power of music to praise God and to bring comfort to those who are suffering. Her story helps us realize the power of utilizing art to transcend suffering, focus on beauty, and to connect us with God.

I took this photo at Brompton Oratory in London during my last visit. If you go to the St Wilfrid's Chapel, her statue is located to the right of the high altar and sanctuary, past the Lady altar. The shrine includes a copy of Raphael's painting above, "The Ecstasy of St Cecilia".

This recumbent figure of St Cecilia is said to describe her at the time of discovery of her uncorrupted body: lying on her side, clad in a dress, with her veiled head turned towards the ground.