THE PILGRIMAGE

The pilgrimage is essentially a spiritual act. The art, the scenery of the Way of Saint James and values closely linked to the pilgrimage (solidarity, self improvement, etc.) contribute to highlight this aspect.

 

HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE THE JUBILEE

To achieve the Jubilee is not necessary to do the Way of Saint James, you just have to visit the Santiago Cathedral during a Holy Year of Santiago de Compostela (which are celebrated when the 25th of July, feast of the martyrdom of St. James, falls on a Sunday) and to say some prayer, such the Lord´s Prayer or the Creed, for the Pope´s intentions, besides going to confession and receiving the Holy Communion any day between the previous 15 and the following 15 to the visit.

 

GETTING “LA  COMPOSTELA “

It is known with the name LA COMPOSTELA the official certificate that Santiago Cathedral Chapter grants to those who follow the Apostle´s route for religious motivations (being a Holy Year or not). For obtaining this certificate is an essential requirement to cover on foot, by bicycle or on horseback a journey of the Way of St. James and demonstrate it at the moment of the arrival ( at least have covered the last 100km/62,100 miles on foot or on horseback and the last 200 km/124,200 miles by bicycle).

The journey accreditation is demonstrated by way of the Pilgrims Credential, which is stamped in the local parishes, youth hostels, lodgings and other representative institutions from the different places along the route.

 

NECESSARY EQUIPMENT FOR THE PILGRIMAGE

ID (Identification Documents)

Good Footwear (boots and trainers, sneakers)

Raincoat

Jumper, sweater/Jacket

Shorts

A pair of trousers/Tracksuit

Shirts

Underwear (several pairs of socks)

Ankle support, knee pad

Water bottle

Toilet bag

First aid kit

Hat / Cap

Sunglasses

 

To walk faster and lighter, it is advisable to contract the backpack transfer from one hostel to the other, so that you only carry what you are going to need during the journey (picnic – lunch, rain coat, jumper, small first aid kit with sticking plaster, etc). Some hostels have this service or else it  is possible to hire a taxi for the backpack transfer.

 

THE WAY ON FOOT

Before starting the walk is advisable to do a simple medical examination and to train, walking distances longer and longer, in consecutive days.

 

CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR FOR THE WALK

Clothing must be loose and breathable fabric, to prevent the frequent rubbings that produce allergic contact dermatitis, above all in the inside of the thighs. Furthermore it is necessary clothes adapted to the climatology of the season in which the pilgrimage is going to be made. Don´t forget a wide-brimmed hat to avoid sunstroke.

Footwear is essential. It must be a pair of boots that embrace the ankle, since the paths are uneven, being possible to suffer sprains that could even force to cancel the walk. Besides being high, the boot must be waterproof and breathable fabric, avoiding the problems caused by foot perspiration, as well as blisters and mycosis. The essential accessories for the footwear are the socks, wooden or similar, that must be often changed.

DIET

The day before of the walk is advisable not to have a copious intake of difficult digestion. It is recommended more sugar ingestion, materialized in sweets or honey, normally in the diet. Fat (butter, pork fat, etc.) must be eaten in small portions and very frequently.

Proteins (eggs, meat, fish and milk) are less essential during the effort and they have their biggest recommendation during the rest, training and preparation periods.

The necessary vitamins can be provided by fresh fruits (lemons, oranges, etc.) and nuts and dried fruit such as walnuts and raisins.

It is advisable to have a whole breakfast (dairy products, fruit, proteins, etc.). A picnic-lunch will be given to be eaten during the walk according to the needs and preferences of each one (the tour guide can advise about the ideal places for the lunch) and the most abundant meal, we recommend to have it at the end of the journey, always as early as posible (20 h aprox.)

Have the strongest meal at the end of each journey.

The thirsty feeling is better quench not with cold drinks, but with soups or warm consommés.