‍

Sixteen St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) pilgrims from across England and Wales met in Ferrol in Northern Spain on Sunday 12 April to complete the 100km Camino Ingles, the traditional route for pilgrims from the UK and Ireland to Santiago de Compostela. The group – which included  parishioners Mary and Nick from St Edmund’s, Godalming, had the services of a local guide to help ensure that they kept to the right path, and followed  the yellow scallop shell direction markers and yellow arrows.

The route wasn’t difficult to navigate, although pilgrims did manage to miss the occasional arrow; they stamped their Camino passports at churches and cafes as they walked thereby demonstrating that they were true pilgrims earning their Compostela. In Santiago, outside the cathedral, they met two other SVP groups who had walked the French Camino from Sarria, and the Portuguese Camino from Baiona.

Reflecting afterwards, Mary said:

‍

“We walked in faith, trusting that we would eventually reach Santiago. As we walked, we learnt about our fellow pilgrims [and] how they lived out their Vincentian vocation as members of the SVP... There was much laughter, some despair (especially at the next steep incline) and much fellowship. We encouraged and helped each other [and] were encouraged and helped...

“The knowledge that there were friends and family praying for us back in the UK certainly helped with some of the hills... [It] was an unforgettable experience; a challenge physically and spiritually. It was also a fundraiser, we raised over £4,000 which will be split between Godalming’s SVP Conference and the national SVP, many thanks to all who donated and supported us.”

‍

Many thanks to Fr Jonathan How and Mary for sharing this story with us.The  SVP is dedicated to tackling poverty and supporting individuals and families facing loneliness, hardship, and the many challenges that life can bring - St Edmund’s in Godalming have an active SVP conference of about 12 members.