Grain fields, adobe houses, ancient churches: Tiny villages across northern Spain teem with visitors. These so-called “pilgrims” are following the Camino de Santiago, or Way of St. James. They tread the network of paths—cumulatively measuring 500 or more miles—to the Apostle James’ supposed tomb in Santiago de Compostela. Some claim the walk is spiritual. But is it necessary?
For Americans, the word pilgrim may evoke black hats, buckled shoes, and basted turkeys. Those familiar with John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress may think of the title character’s journey to the Celestial City.
Many Christians use pilgrim language to describe life’s journey. But for much of the world, pilgrims are simply people on a trip.
It’s true that pilgrimages, or pilgrim journeys, may remove travelers from daily duties and distractions. Many see pilgrimages as signs of devotion. With an end goal of visiting a religious landmark, some religions believe such journeys imbue travelers with special virtue or help them obtain favor with a god.
Biblical Christianity holds that worshipping the one true God isn’t about a place but about the soul’s orientation. (John 4:20-24)
Catholic people of the Middle Ages often traveled along the Camino de Santiago—or simply “Camino”—from their homes to visit the cathedral where they thought James’ bones lay. From varying starting points, different routes emerged. Today’s pilgrims choose from seven main routes and several less-traveled ones.
Since the 1990s, the Camino’s popularity has grown. In 2023, nearly half a million people traversed it. Contrary to historical precedent, these days fewer than half undertake the trek for purely religious reasons. Increasingly, “tourist-pilgrims” walk for reasons including health, outdoor adventure, or dealing with a life event.
A pilgrim’s fitness and route choice make a big difference on how long a Camino walk lasts. The experts at Follow the Camino say pilgrims should plan on “between a few days and three months.”
The pilgrim influx on the Camino is helping to save the settlements that sprang up long ago along the routes. The “Camino effect” helps create jobs and maintain cultural heritage, professor Melchor Fernández said in 2022. What’s more, it “has put the brakes on depopulation.”
Thankfully, no one needs a Camino walk to commune with the God of the universe. Those who know Jesus Christ may boldly “keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25)—no physical pilgrimage necessary.
Why? God’s favor doesn’t require ritual. He gives grace freely and with it, produces repentance and belief in His followers. He cares about the souls of folks in big cities as well as tiny villages.
