MADISON — The Camino de Santiago, also known as the “Way of St. James,” is a 500-mile walking pilgrimage route through northern Spain.
In pre-pandemic times, more than 300,000 pilgrims a year would travel that path leading to the shrine of St. James the Apostle in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain where his remains are said to be buried.
On Sunday, July 25, the feast day of St. James, people from this diocese, and around the world, who cannot make the trip to Europe can experience the blessings and journey of the Camino.
A new film, Santiago: The Camino Within, is premiering online that day.
The film’s journey is led by Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison.
The film was produced by Ahava Productions who also produced the 36-part ECHO series on the U.S. Catechism for Adults presented by Bishop Hying.
Making the film
The film project has been a few years in the making.
While Ahava was in the middle of the ECHO project, which was released online five years ago, the company was made aware of Bishop Hying going on his own pilgrimage on the Camino in 2017.
After some thought and prayer, it was decided to start another film project with the bishop showing the “Way of St. James”.
In addition to Bishop Hying’s experiences, the film follows pilgrims on the Camino from all over the world.
Gathering reflections from the last few years, the film shares these pilgrims’ experiences as they make their journey.
“It’s one of the few places that we can actually immerse ourselves in history,” said one pilgrim couple in the film, noting they are following the path of St. James as he spread the Gospel through that part of the world.
Another pilgrim remarked that he is following the way of St. James because the Apostle was “God’s voice”.
Another said he’s on the Camino for “religious reasons” because he is a “true believer”.
The film’s release comes during a Holy Year of the Camino or any year when the feast of St. James is on a Sunday.
The Holy Year starts with the opening of the Holy Door at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.
It had been 11 years since anyone entered the Holy Door. The last Holy Year was in 2010.
The door was opened on December 31 of last year.
It is available for pilgrims for one year before being walled closed again.
Join the experience
Commenting on the upcoming film, Bishop Hying said, “I encourage you to watch Santiago: The Camino Within, a new film depicting the beauty of walking the ancient pilgrimage path to the tomb of the Apostle St. James in Santiago, Spain.
“This virtual journey will move you to a deeper experience of the love of Christ, the beauty of our Catholic faith, and the apostolic call to proclaim and live the Gospel in our current moment of such opportunity and challenge.”
Bishop Hying added, “Having walked the Camino twice, I know this cinematic view of this ancient pilgrim route will move your heart.”
Individuals and groups are encouraged to host “pilgrim parties” and view the film.
Dioceses from around the country have already begun promoting their parties via social media.
More information on the film, including a trailer, can be found at http://www.ahavaproductions.com/santiago