A Pilgrim’s Blessing

 

In anticipation of the journey to come, I stand humbled in this ancient place and on sacred ground in awe of the Divine presence.  I light a candle for my ancestors, who have trodden this ground before me.

May the light shine upon their good deeds and the journeys they embarked on that created history and brought us forth to live on mother earth in this present moment.

I light a candle for my parents and other family members, who blessed my life and taught me to live each day to the full. I am grateful for their unconditional love and wisdom that has shaped me into who I am today.

May the light shine upon them with grace and favour for all eternity.

I light a candle for my husband, whose love, support and guidance have accompanied me through the dark times and the good.

May the light shine upon him as his light shines upon others and bless his life with abundance.

I light a candle for pilgrims, past, present and future, who in humility leave their homes voluntarily to walk the Camino, and in so doing seek out truth and experience the fullness of humanity.

May the light shine upon them to bless them with comfort, safety, hospitality and friendship.

I light a candle for all of the refugees and displaced people around the world, who are forced to flee from their homes in persecution and fear and make treacherous journeys to find safe refuge.

May the light shine upon them to bless them with protection, shelter, welcoming communities, peace in their home places and a safe return.

I light a candle for myself as I set my intention for my own journey ahead.

May the light shine upon me to show me the right path to take and grant me the strength and courage to endure what I must endure with gratitude until my pilgrimage is completed.

 

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This blessing came to me on my third Camino, while walking the Camino Frances route for the second time. There is something quite magical about walking the Camino de Santiago, which releases creativity. The Way speaks through a myriad of forms to reach deep into the soul.

I walked the Camino Frances for the first time between September and November in 2015 to honour my mum, who had passed away from terminal cancer. It was a truly transformative journey and I captured some of it in this blog, which you can read under the category Camino Frances. When I reached Santiago de Compostela, I walked on to Finisterre and Muxia, see Camino Finisterre.

After I married my soul mate Brett in the following year, we walked the Camino Portuguès together and you can read about our adventures under the category Camino Portuguès.

I decided not to write a blog about walking the Camino Frances for the second time. Instead, this poem features in our new video about el Camino de Santiago, which I have uploaded to my YouTube channel. You can watch it by clicking on this link: “A Poetic Journey along el Camino de Santiago” (Camino Frances)

For now, fellow pilgrim, you are welcome to use and adapt this pilgrim’s blessing for your own special journey, whether you are walking el Camino de Santiago or another pilgrimage route elsewhere in the world. If you do, I would be interested to hear from you, so do feel free to drop me a note in the comments below.

I wish you a Buen Camino!

Peace, love and light,

Sarah xxx

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