Camino Completed

by Martine Murphy

Title

Camino Completed

Artist

Martine Murphy

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Photograph - Photograph

Description

Since the 9th century, pilgrims or peregrino's have walked one of the nine routes that lead to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. The remains of St. James the Apostle are reputed to rest there. Pilgrims who walk at least the last 100 km receive a certificate or compostela as proof that they completed their pilgrimage. At each hostel or auberge along the way, they can have their pilgrim passport stamped. People walk the Camino for various reasons nowadays, not always religious. The challenge offers an opportunity for personal reflection and an escape from the material world. People of all religious persuasions and none can be found walking the Way of St. James. The film,'The Way' with Martin Sheen and Emilio Esteves and the book 'The Pilgrimage' by Paulo Coelho have revived an interest for many in walking the Camino. The culmination of the completion of their journey, for many, rests in the pilgrim Mass in the cathedral of Santiago and the famous swinging of the giant botafumeiro or thurible to the powerful and emotive 'Hymn to Santiago' which is sung during it.

I took this shot of one peregrino taking a quiet moment away from the jubilant pilgrims and tourists in the cathedral square to use his mobile phone - a luxury unavailable to pilgrims of old!

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July 10th, 2016

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