Buen Camino (Have a good journey) for Stella Maris, Viva Santiago!

Feeling of being lost in a new cultural context and uncertainty about where and how to start the new mission made me feel down. The death of Pope Francis whom I looked at as an example of faith also added weight to the heaviness of my heart. To find light in this moment of darkness, I desired to do some spiritual retreats and then the idea to do the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) came.

It was great idea because it could help me spiritually and as a scalabrinian missionary it could also be a moment of solidarity with many migrants who walked for kilometres in order to find a better future. It could also be a good spiritual exercise that was related to the theme of the Jubilee year; “Pilgrims of Hope”.

Without any hesitation, Fr. Walter and I, travelled to Valença (Portugal) to start the pilgrimage. We did the last 124 kilometres of the Portuguese Way. We just carried a small pack bag and planned the journey day by day. During the pilgrimage, I prayed for the Stella Maris mission in Algeciras, for all people who asked for prayers, and for all people who are important to me.

When we arrived in Valença (Portugal), we immediately went to the tourist centre to ask for a credential card. It served like a passport that would be stamped at least two times a day so that we would receive the pilgrim certificate upon arriving in Santiago. Then we walked and crossed the border between Portugal and Spain. We planned our journey every day and tried to arrive in a town where we could find a place to sleep. We prayed, contemplated the beauty of nature, and walked a lot in the middle of the bush, or along the river or seaside under the heat of the sun.

On the way, we met people who gave us light not only in our pilgrimage but also in our journey of life. The first man has a name “Jesus”. He guided us when we got lost and he accompanied us to the next town. He shared a part of his life that inspired me. He was a seafarer for many years in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and he came back to Spain in order to take care of his sick and elderly parents. This man did not only share a part of his story but also taught us wisdom in life. He said that life is all about sharing. It is not life if you just keep it for yourself. He also shared some wisdom that he got from sailing. Through him, I got some new ideas on how to start my mission.

The second figure that enlightened me was the monk that we met along the way. He prayed for us and blessed us. I felt good listening to him when he shared his words of wisdom because he encouraged me to embrace the challenges in the mission with the seafarers. Another figure that called my attention was the elderly people who did their best to remain strong in their journey. They were so determined to complete the pilgrimage. They have strong faith in God, in themselves and in the persons who walked with them.

Lastly, we met people from different parts of the world bringing their own motivations, stories and struggles in life. Although we have different cultural and social backgrounds, we had common greetings; “Buen Camino (have a good journey)”. It is a simple word yet meaningful because it expresses many words such as “Be strong, my friend”, “You can make it”, “I understand your struggle”, “Everything will be ok”, “You are not alone”, and “Do not give up”.

As we continued our journey, with the inspiration of people we met, I felt so blessed and much more when I received the news that the permit to visit ships in the port of Algeciras had already been considered. After four days of walking, we arrived in Santiago de Compostela. I was so happy because I felt fulfilled and renewed. During the mass for the pilgrims, I was amazed to witness the big thurible with incense that swayed in the middle of the altar.

Before going back to the mission, I brought with me a bookmark with a word that says “No one finds his way without being lost many times”. Then I said to myself, this is the echo of my experience before I did the pilgrimage.

Upon travelling on the train to Madrid, I remembered the words of the priest in the Basilica of Santiago to whom I made my confession. He said to me, “Buen Camino for Stella Maris, Viva Santiago!”

Fr. Jovannie Serrano Postrano, CS