Pilgrimage to Camino de Santiago
Spain | June 17-27, 2026
WHERE
Next summer our EYC will take a pilgrimage to the Camino de Santiago in Spain. A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place and involves a time of deep intentionality with one's faith. The Camino de Santiago contains many routes, the most popular beginning in France and stretching for 500 miles before concluding at the Santiago de Compostela, the cathedral, where the body of Saint James the Apostle is historically believed to have been buried. Pilgrims have journeyed across The Camino de Santiago — or “The Way of Saint James” — since the eleventh century as a way to pray and pay homage to this holy site. It is one of the most popular pilgrimages in the history of Christendom and the way reflects the legend of St. James' body being carried from Jerusalem to Northern Spain where he is believed to have been laid to rest in a field.
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
WHO
One of the twelve apostles, son of Zebedee and brother to the Apostle John, James was a fisherman called by Jesus to spread the Gospel. James was one of the Apostles who witnessed the Transfiguration and following Christ's ascension became a missionary, bringing the Gospel from the Middle East all the way to Spain. Executed under the orders of King Herod in the first century, James was the first apostle to be martyred and represents to many pilgrims and Christians an unwavering faith and devotion to the work of the Gospel. St. James' body was discovered by a shepherd in the 9th century during the reign of King Alfonso II. Upon discovering the saint, King Alfonso built a small chapel before commissioning a larger temple, thus attracting pilgrims from all over the world.
WHAT
Students will embark on an abridged pilgrimage in Spain, consisting of a 118km trek beginning in Sarria and concluding at the Santiago de Compostela. During our pilgrimage, students will encounter holy sites, visit churches to pray alongside centuries of other Christians, and engage with the Anglican Daily Office — a series of prayer services designed to be prayed throughout the day. The Daily Office can be found toward the beginning of the Book of Common Prayer. We will also enjoy fellowship and prayer in community as we learn about the way of St. James.
Our stops include Portomarín, Palas de Rei, Arzúa, Rúa, before ending at Santiago, which have welcomed and shown hospitality to Christians journeying the way of St. James for almost a thousand years.
Our trip will consist of a few travel days, 6 days of walking, and a rest day at the conclusion of our hike. Each student will participate in hikes, read a book about the saints, and help with a fundraiser during the year in preparation for our time in Spain. The approximate cost of the trip is $4000 (subject to change) and includes airfare, hotels, a luggage transport for each part of the journey, a guide and their hotel, basic travel insurance, travel agency fees, several meals, and transportation to and from airports. (Partial and full scholarships are available.)
