There are thousands of reasons why one sets out, sometimes the need to disconnect, perhaps to discover other places or simply because they want to touch freedom with their fingertips.
On August 24, 30 young volunteers from 15 different Diocesan Caritas, under the motto Together: Let’s act today for a better tomorrow, We started our Camino with the intention of knowing the social reality and the different projects of both the diocesan Cáritas through which we travel (Lugo y Santiago) as well as the diocesans to which the different participating volunteers belong.
Total 10 days in which we have had the opportunity to learn about other perspectives and hopes, 10 days in which Cáritas Española has placed the Youth Volunteer Service at the center and has given us a voice to share our ideas, experiences and doubts.
In the hours walking, and in the necessary rest times, we have been weaving throughout the days a wonderful group of young people who have become good friends, a group in which despite the fatigue, the pain, the blisters and weaknesses, there was never a lack of laughter, smiles, messages of encouragement and hugs.
There are few times that we have heard that Cáritas is the union of hearts, and this Path has shown young people that there are many hearts that unite us and that we are not alone in the task of volunteering.
The Camino de Santiago has allowed us to get to know ourselves and the people with whom we have been sharing it. The kilometers that we left behind were filled with the stories, experiences and anecdotes that we heard from each other. Walking has been a reflection of life itself, each one with its limitations, difficulties and rhythms, but always united by the spirit of companionship and love.
From the first meetings and the bus trip that would take us to Galicia, when we still had to overcome the shyness and vertigo of undertaking this adventure; going through the moments in which we became aware that there are various types of backpacks, many times invisible but no less heavy, sharing a table from breakfast to dinner, admiring the views upon arrival from Sarria to Portomarín; overcoming the heat on our arrival in Palas de Rei, in a stage where we learned the value of supporting each of our colleagues, and friends, and not leaving anyone behind.
Or take the step towards Melide, not only with the incentive of trying the delicious octopus but also thinking about what are the stones, both tangible and metaphorical, that we stumble upon or that even prevent us from moving forward as we would like. after we reached Arzúa and we were welcomed in a small neighboring town where we verified that Caritas is also the small communities of people who without fame or pretensions extend their hands and appreciate the value of the volunteer.
In The Pedrouzo The desire to reach the desired Santiago de Compostela, the end of a Camino, was already in the air. And gathering our last strength, on August 30 we were able to admire the view from where the Cathedral of Santiago can be seen for the first time, the Mount Gozo, so that a few hours later enter through the Pilgrim’s Gate to PObradoiro loop proudly hoisting the emblem of Caritas.
We leave convinced that the road does not end in Santiago and that the most difficult task is the one that comes now, that of taking what we have learned to each of our diocesans.
We would also like to use these lines to thank once again the enormous work and effort made by the motor group and the technicians, who have shown enormous organizational capacity and without whom the Camino would never have been possible. Also send a message of special love to the Diocesans of Lugo and Santiago who have welcomed us with so much care and attention during these days. Ultreia and Good way!
