Preparing for Pilgrimage
How to prepare mentally and emotionally for the pilgrimage?
If you’re thinking about going on pilgrimage, then you’ve already begun. Start journaling right now.
What are you experiencing as you think about walking in Colorado?
What are you feeling?
Your concerns?
Your fears?
The things you are curious about?
Excited about?
What do imagine will happen?
What do you hope doesn’t happen?
What are you dreaming about as you prepare for the pilgrimage?
Has a major event happened while your preparing?
Then, over of the course of your preparation, keep all your notes about what to take, your physical preparation, your musical preparations, and travel arrangements—keep it all in one place, your journal. And bring that journal with you to Colorado. The journal can be a container, a friend, even a lover—the one you love, and the one you love to hate. I’ve been walking for years and I love to look back over the experience as I continue on my pilgrimage through life. - Gil
What should I read before going on this pilgrimage?
All pilgrims will come into the pilgrimage with their own pattern of reading. You’re encouraged to trust yourself and your own pattern. Sometimes a deep dive into the history and stories of the place where you’ll be walking is the best choice. Other times, less is more. Two books that past Vox pilgrims have consistently found helpful are:
Wisdom Walking: Pilgrimage as a Way of Life, by Gil W. Stafford. The author is a storyteller and Vox Peregrini is one of this central characters in this book about walking Ireland. Stafford has walked across Ireland and now the Wicklow Way seven times with different groups. He shares his wealth of knowledge about how to prepare physically, mentally, and spiritually. He also lets you in on what to expect during the long days of pilgrimage.
The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker’s Guide to Making Travel Sacred, by Phil Cousineau. Cousineau is an experienced leader of pilgrimages to several sites around the world. The book is a best seller, filled with stories of those who have traveled with him.
The Vox Peregrini Pilgrim’s Companion
Over the years, Vox Peregrini has developed a pilgrim’s companion that includes prayers and disciplines that can be employed individually or corporately. Typically, we will read from this companion guidebook every morning before setting off for the day.
Karla’s Camino Blog!
Karla Woggon, the Intentional Listener for Camino 2022 will be blogging about her Camino thoughts over the coming weeks and months. We’ll let you know when updates arrive! You can see her first post here!