How to Spiritually Prepare for the Camino de Santiago

Do we ever think about how to spiritually prepare for the Camino de Santiago? If you’re here, good on you, you must have!

Before setting off along the Camino de Santiago, soon-to-be pilgrims carefully consider the weight of their bag, the sturdiness of their shoes, the factor of their sun protection but what if it’s all a metaphor for what’s really going on in the spiritual?

Regardless of your spiritual beliefs or lack thereof, I would encourage anyone with even the slightest inclination to one day take this journey to consider how they can spiritually prepare for the Camino de Santiago.

I’m going to share my own beliefs and how I’m preparing to walk the Portuguese way of the Camino de Santiago in August 2024.

Like many modern day pilgrims who set out to walk the way of Saint James (El Camino de Santiago), I came to learn about it from watching the 2010 movie “The Way” starring Martin Sheen and written and directed by his son Emilio Estevez.

I was soon to graduate college and my adult life was really just beginning. I thought about that movie many times as I traveled from place to place – from Florida to California to New York to Hawaii and then abroad to Europe, Asia, India, Australia and beyond.

I’ve literally circumnavigated the world twice. Why? I was seeking that intangible more and anyone who has seen the movie knows, like most great movies, it touches on that mysterious something more that we all seek.

When I first saw the movie I wasn’t a believer, but I’ve since had an encounter with God that changed my life forever and awakened my faith. From that moment on, it’s been an eye-opening journey of discovering who God really is. God is who I was searching for all along and He is so much more than I ever imagined.

I believe God is the one who prepares us spiritually to walk the Camino de Santiago.

Prepare by Learning the Spiritual History of the Camino de Santiago

There are an infinite number of routes and over 200 established paths all leading to the Galician city of Santiago de Compostela in the northwest region of Spain. In the Middle Ages, it was one of three major places of pilgrimage along with sites in Jerusalem and Rome.

Back then, most pilgrims had religious motives for making the journey to the tomb and shrine of Saint James the Greater, who was one of Jesus’ 3 closest disciples and the first to be martyred for his faith.

You can explore more about the history through this online exhibit by the Catedral de Santiago Foundation on Google Arts and Culture.

During my research, one terribly fascinating thing I found was the manuscript of the Book of Santiago or Liber Sancti Iacobi, better known as Codex Calixtinus, which is the very first guide book ever written about the pilgrimage and quite an important book to Christianity as a religion overall.

I’m still trying to get my hands on a complete English translation, especially Book 2 containing 22 documented miracles known as The Book of Miracles. Leave a comment here, if you know where it is. I just found this excerpt:

“…when traveling through foreign lands, I learned of some of these miracles in Galicia, others in France, others in Germany, others in Italy, others in Hungary, others in Dacia, some also beyond the three seas, variously written, as is natural in various places…”

Pope Calixtus

If you can take anything from the historical spiritual history of the Camino, it’s this: God works miracles for those on the Way.

_{Codex Calixtinus, the original pilgrim guidebook}

Prepare by Contemplating your Spiritual Purpose

As a modern day pilgrim and a born-again Christian, I am doing this pilgrimage to grow closer to God.

To be Christian means to be a follower of Christ and that I am; after all Jesus is the one who came for me, who saved me. And Jesus says this, as it reads in the Bible (John 14:6), “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

So as for me, I will walk with my savior, deeper into the loving arms of the Father, obedient as I can be to his Holy Spirit in me.

At the end of the day, something greater than ourselves empowers and accompanies each pilgrim on their journey. For a lot of pilgrims, it could be Saint James, it could be the Camino itself, it may very well be their own strength, or perhaps a spirit of pride and self-will.

We who make the journey will decide, discover, or be left in the dark about our true spiritual purpose and condition. So it’s up to you!

Jesus, son of God, is the one I ask about my purpose. I know He would be absolutely delighted to talk to you too. He’s always waiting with open arms, for believers and non-believers alike to turn to him and just be.

¹Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. ³ He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Hebrews 1:1-3

Prepare by Recognizing How God Speaks to You

When walking by faith, you start to get to know the ways God speaks to you. Here’s a list of all the ways God might be speaking to you, you’ll definitely want to be ready as these are the “clues” of the Camino.

God speaks…

1. God speaks through scripture (Timothy 3:16-17)
2. God speaks through difficulties (Psalm 119:67-68)
3. God speaks through his creation (Psalm 19:1-2)
4. God speaks through his Son, Jesus Christ (John 10:27)
5. God speaks through other believers (James 3:17)
6. God speaks through circumstances ((1 Peter 1:5-7)
7. God speaks through wise counsel (Proverbs 19:20)
8. God speaks through the Holy Spirit (John 14:16)
9. God speaks through dreams, visions, and prophecy (Acts 2:17)
10. God speaks through natural manifestations (Romans 1:18-20)
11. God speaks through supernatural manifestations (Acts 9:1-5)
12. God speaks through thoughts (Amos 4:13)
13. God speaks with a whisper (Kings 19:12)
14. God speaks with a mighty roar (Job 37:1-13)

As he made each of us unique (evidenced by our fingerprints), he also speaks to each of us individually. God knows you. He knows your likes and your dislikes, your character, your strengths and weaknesses; the Bible says he even has the hairs on your head numbered, and he knows how to get your attention.

So don’t be surprised if you who have an affinity for finding shapes in the clouds finds one shaped like a heart or a cross, because he is always trying to express his love for you!

Prepare by Discerning How the Enemy Tempts You

You know who else is always at work trying to get your attention? You guessed it, the enemy.

The Bible calls him Satan or the Devil. I learned the hard way the devil is real before I learned God was real! Jesus quite literally had to pull me up from the brink of the pit of hell, where I had willingly followed the enemy’s breadcrumbs into the abyss.

See, breadcrumbs look pretty tasty when you don’t have the bread of life! So my best advice on how to spiritually prepare for the Camino de Santiago is this: fill up on the bread of life (Jesus) and avoid those breadcrumbs by knowing how the devil tempts you.

It could be anything and it’s not just the typical pitfalls like sex, drugs, and thievery. The enemy is called the Father of Lies and he often disguises himself as an angel of light, so even seemingly positive things, like the pursuit of knowledge, can be a sin and ultimately a trap if taken to an extreme and placed above God.

Some pitfalls pilgrims may encounters:

• judging others for walking the Camino differently than you
• judging oneself for shortcomings or limitations
• believing you’re not wanted and rejected by others
• giving into stress and weariness
• falling into complaining and criticalness
• walking out of a sense of striving and performance

Prepare By Deepening Your Prayer Life

Top of my list for how I’m going to spiritually prepare for the Camino de Santiago is prayer.

Prayer is so powerful, y’all. I used to think it was the cop out response, but prayer is talking to the God of the universe and he listens and has all the power to bring about his will. He is moved by our prayers and no matter what, he wants what is best for us, out of his great love for us. So seek his heart and his will by talking to him and listening to him.

That is true for all of life but especially to spiritually prepare for the Camino de Santiago. Just think, he loves you completely and knows everything you need, so align your heart with his through prayer so you can give and receive every blessing he has in store and so you can walk out his glorious plan for you.

As you’re literally walking the Camino wondering where you’re going to rest your head, what you will eat, and if you too can heal be praying because God knows and he wants to guide you in the best way.

³¹Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:31-33

Prepare by Planning for Spiritual Maintenance Along the Way

You know what they say, “if you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” Sometimes that seems so true. I make a plan and God reroutes me, happens all the time, even when my plans revolve around him!

But God doesn’t want us to be constantly doing what we think is going to make him happy, he wants a relationship with us. So ask God how you can tend to the relationship before any strict adherence to a plan.

Here are some suggestions:

• Find the right balance between solitude and socializing on the Camino
• Still make time for “quiet time” and dedicated time with the Lord
• Read the Bible (on your phone or bring a pocket copy)
• Take the time to notice the beauty of creation
• Praise God and worship him through song
• Pray as you walk
• Be open and responsive to how Holy Spirit is guiding you
• Keep a journal
• Love God and love others outwardly (this is the whole of God’s law)
• Be open to experiencing God in new ways on the Camino

You can also check out my post for inspiration on how to center God on your travels.

Just GO!

I’m so excited to start my walk and be a part of this pilgrimage that’s been going on for a whole millennium – over 1,000 years!

I’m sure once I finish, God willing, I could write a whole guidebook filled with advice and stories but I’m praying what I’ve offered here is a piece of a timeless story and a truth which resonates on some level for all who may find it.

Have you walked the Camino de Santiago? Is it on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments, along with any advice you might have.

Love,
Alyssa

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