09/17/2026
Dr. Wayne Gravois Shares His Camino de Santiago Journey with Rotary
Dr. Wayne Gravois was the featured speaker at today’s Rotary Club meeting, where he shared his inspiring experience walking the Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James, a historic pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain.
Walking the Camino had long been a dream of Dr. Gravois, and he chose to experience the journey at his own pace—taking time to appreciate the scenery, pause and reflect, meet people from around the world, and enjoy the fellowship that comes with sharing the road with fellow pilgrims.
The longest routes of the Camino stretch approximately 500 miles and can take about five weeks to complete. Pilgrims can choose from a variety of routes and distances, but to receive the traditional Compostela certificate, pilgrims generally must complete at least 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) on foot.
For centuries, the Camino has been both a religious pilgrimage and a cultural highway. Along the way, pilgrims pass through villages, vineyards, forests, stone churches and historic towns, experiencing a daily rhythm of walking, meals, conversation and reflection. Restaurants and local foods—from fresh vegetables and soups to breads, seafood and other regional dishes—become part of the journey.
Dr. Gravois explained that the Camino is more than simply a road to Santiago—it is a journey that can change the way you see the road. Strangers quickly become fellow pilgrims, and people from many different backgrounds come together with a shared purpose.
One of the most recognizable symbols along the Camino is the scallop shell. According to tradition, after the death of Saint James, his body was transported by boat to the Iberian Peninsula, and when the vessel reached shore, it was covered in scallop shells. The shell eventually became a symbol of the pilgrimage. Its grooves, all meeting at a single point, are often interpreted as representing the many routes pilgrims take across Europe before converging at Santiago.
Today, people walk the Camino for many reasons, including faith, challenge, discovery, reflection and fellowship.
The ultimate destination is the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where tradition holds that the remains of Saint James the Greater rest beneath the cathedral’s main altar. After walking toward the same destination day after day, arriving at the cathedral can be an especially emotional and meaningful experience.
Dr. Gravois completed his 60-mile journey, had his pilgrim passport stamped and returned with memories he says he will never forget.
Perhaps the greatest lesson he brought home was a simple one:
“You don’t have to accomplish everything in one day. You simply have to take the next step.”
Thank you, Dr. Gravois, for sharing your journey, your experiences and the lessons you learned along the way with the Rotary Club of Zachary!
