Walking the Way: Team MSC take on the Camino Inglés 2024

At the end of July, a group of 26 pilgrims walked the Camino Inglés in order to raise funds to help care for sick and abandoned children at the Holy Family Care Centre in Ofcolaco, South Africa. With Fr Tony Horgan MSC at the helm, the group covered 116km in six days, and raised over €20,000 for the Holy Family Team. Mary Morrish, one of the MSC Missions Office team here in Cork, took part in this year’s Camino walk, and shares her daily diary with us.

Fr Tony Horgan MSC (left) and MSC Missions Office team member Mary Morrish (second from right), with pilgrims Nisha and John.

Day 1: Ferrol – Neda (15.5km)

We began the first day of our Camino pilgrimage on a gentle note, with a reflection by our group leader, Fr Tony Horgan MSC. During the reflection, the clouds parted to reveal beams of sunshine – a promising beginning to the day, and to the trip! We started our journey in Ferrol, walking through the nautical city until we reached the beautiful estuary. From there, we walked through the surrounding woodlands and glades, until we reached the outskirts of Neda, where we went for a cooling paddle. We clapped and cheered as each member of our pilgrimage arrived at the meeting point. Fr Tony then said a beautiful Mass, where we took the body and blood of Christ in our magnificent surroundings. Everyone who had an intention spoke, and we prayed for each of them. We also prayed for the children of the Holy Family Care Centre in South Africa, who will benefit from this fundraising trip, and all who supported our fundraising appeal.

We ended Day 1 with a gorgeous pilgrims’ dinner of fish, potatoes, and wine, while the evening was rounded off with a rapturous sing-song. ‘Til Day 2!

Day 2: Neda – Pontedueme (16km)

Our second day started off with a reflection by Fr Tony, where we all joined in and spoke about sharing our stories.

Then began our climb from Neda. The day started off overcast, which was a welcome relief from the heat, and we walked the heights and marvelled at the gorgeous views. We stopped at a modesty box along the way, and collected some shells for our journey.

We then continued on our journey, amazed by the beauty that we passed on our way. It was so lovely to meet other pilgrims from all nationalities as we walked. Stopping for lunch, we had great fun recounting the journey so far, and we started our walk again with much enthusiasm. We passed beautiful country farmhouses, with their terracotta roofs baking in the sun. Eventually, we saw a glimpse of sea glistening on the horizon, and soon we were looking down over Pontedueme, a thriving town. We swam, we ate, and we found that we had many talented singers amongst us! We ended our day with a sing-song, with Liam, one of our pilgrims, on guitar. We gathered quite a crowd!

Fr Tony said Mass for us – one of our pilgrims was a Jesuit, who actually helped Pope Francis with his English many years ago. We celebrated Mass with music and singing, before going to share our pilgrims’ meal of chicken and potatoes. A very special day indeed!

Summer 2024: Team MSC walk the Camino Inglés to raise funds for the children of the Holy Family Care Centre in South Africa.

Day 3: Pontedueme – Betanzos (20km)

As Day 3 of our journey began, we feasted on our breakfast knowing that we had a 20km walk ahead of us. We were all on a high as the sing-song the night before had been so much fun. Boarding the bus, we were dismayed to be see heavy rain pouring down outside the windows; however, we soon cheered up as we listened to Fr Tony’s inspiring reflection, which took us all beyond any concerns about the weather!

Heading for the 12^th-century seaside town of Betanzos, we walked a steep climb of 1km through Pontedeume. The views here were dominated by the magnificent landscape of the old mountains that make up Galicia, blanketed in reforestation trees including pines and eucalyptus.

Our walk today took us through Mifio and Paderne, eventually bringing us to the medieval city of Betanzos.

Betanzos is a gorgeous city, and one I would love to visit again. It boasts wonderful architecture and charming cobbled streets, and is a city that just has a lovely colourful atmosphere.

Arriving back at the hotel at the day’s end, we were a very hungry band of pilgrims and were more than ready to eat! Another beautiful dinner of fresh fish awaited us, and a much-needed early night was enjoyed by all. We were undeniably tired after the 20km walk, but nonetheless, it had been a great day. Tomorrow, we will pack up our bags and move to our hotel in Santiago for the last part of our pilgrimage.

The 2024 MSC Camino pilgrims raised over €20,000 for the children of the Holy Family Care Centre in South Africa, as they spent six days walking the Camino Inglés.

Day 4: Betanzos – Bruma (25km)

What an absolutely gorgeous day! We began our morning with our daily reflection, which really is a sacred time for all of us and a very special way to start the day.

Some of our group carry a stone for a loved one who has passed away, or for someone who needs healing in their life. They feel that the stone represents their loved on accompanying them on their journey. When they feel content and at peace, and are ready to walk on their own, they will leave their stone along The Way.

Fr Tony also asked us to pick up one of the many stones that we saw on the various Camino stone markers that we passed along the way. We could then carry the burden on the person that left it for the day, and keep them in our prayers.

The scenery today was beautiful. Our walk took us through lush forests of pine and eucalyptus trees, and it was just breathtaking. We walked as far as Trevsas, where we came to a café. Here, we were greeted by a lovely lady named Carmen, who will sit you down and place a wonderful selection of biscuits and meats in front of you to enjoy at no charge. She also did us the great honour of opening up the tiny church that sits across from her café. It is a very special space, where she has actually crocheted the flowers that decorate the interior herself. She told us it was very important that we hug the tree outside, which we gladly did. (I’m not quite sure what the significance of this was, but it was a lovely moment!)

Our journey then took us to the enchanting hamlet of Hospital is Brua, which dates back to 1175 and is named for the hospital that would provide care for pilgrims here. We enjoyed our now-traditional sing-song over some refreshments, and then went to see our new home for the next few nights in Santiago, the Hotel Gelmirez.

The check-in process was an easy one, and after we had all settled in, we went downstairs to have Mass with Fr Tony. Again, it was a beautiful ceremony with singing and meaningful readings, while our friends in the group presented some of the stones they had found along the way, and spoke about how they made them feel. After a delicious dinner, some of us went out to explore Santiago – what an amazing city!

Our group of 26 MSC pilgrims covered a distance of 116km over six days as they walked the Camino Inglés.

Day 5: Bruma – Siguerio (26km)

Today’s walk began in Bruma, and we were once again well set up for the day ahead after our morning reflection with Fr Tony. We passed the most amazing sculpture park by the Azul bar, which was certainly worth a look! Our walk took us through a beautiful wooded area, taking in the Fonte de Inglés, and brought us to Igrexa de San Paio de Buscás in A Rúa, where we saw the 18^th-century statue of San Paio, a child martyr. The remainder of the day’s walk continued through farm and woodland, and I won’t deny that the last 6km of the day were tough going! As you enter Siguerio, you walk parallel to a motorway, and I was very happy when we arrived into Siguerio itself – and very tempted to jump straight into the municipal swimming pool!

We are now only 16km from Santiago, so we were back in our hotel in no time at all. Fr Tony ended the day with Mass, and we all reflected on what a lovely, if demanding, day it had been.

Summer 2024: Team MSC walk the Camino Inglés to raise funds for the children of the Holy Family Care Centre in South Africa.

Day 6: Siguerio – Santiago (16km)

The last leg! We began the day early as we all wanted to get a head-start on the midday sun and the rising temperatures. Starting off in Siguerio, we crossed the medieval bridge and continued on our way through the forest, heading for Santiago. We stopped at an old inn that has been there for many years, and also spotted a pre-Roman hill fort. In keeping with tradition, we lay our stones on the existing pile, marking our own personal moment along The Way.

Walking along the outskirts of the city of Santiago, we passed several parks, and many fascinating buildings connected to the University of Santiago are dotted around the city. We followed our yellow shell stone markings for the final time – although at this stage, we didn’t need them anymore! Before us appeared the spires of the Cathedral, rising high in the summer sky. The sense of appreciation and gratitude you feel when you enter the square by the Cathedral for the first time is something very special. Two of us, myself and one of the other pilgrims, Mary, began saying the Rosary. Two of our companions had tears rolling down their faces, prompted by the sheer emotion of the journey and the fact that we had made it here. It was an incredibly special feeling, and a moment that I think will stay with us all for a long time.

After a well-deserved lunch, we went to visit the Cathedral, where we saw the tomb of St James and lit some candles for our personal intentions. We had a pilgrim Mass to attend, and we were only thrilled to hear that our very own Fr Tony was concelebrating Mass in the Cathedral! The church was jam-packed, with standing room only. I sat at the base of an ancient pillar, and took a moment to think about how many others would have sat here before me in times past. Fr Tony wore a green vestment decorated with the symbol of the Camino, the seashell, in a fitting tribute to our shared journey.

Our MSC pilgrims attended a Mass concelebrated by group leader Fr Tony Horgan MSC at the magnificent Cathedral in Santiago.

We were each presented with a Compostella passport – proof that we had completed all 116km of the English Way! After a lovely dinner, we all went out for drinks as a group. We were 26 strangers who had become friends on this incomparable journey.

Day 7: Homeward bound!

Our final day – after one last delicious breakfast, many of our group took in the English Mass in Santiago. Some essential last-minute shopping was done, and I took the tourist train around the city, to see as much of Santiago as I could before we had to leave. All too soon, it was time to take our final trip, to Santigo airport and homeward bound to Ireland. What a simply amazing journey.

The 2024 MSC Camino pilgrims raised over €20,000 for the children of the Holy Family Care Centre in South Africa, as they spent six days walking the Camino Inglés.

We are so sincerely thankful to each and every person who joined us on our 2024 Camino Pilgrimage. Not only did they complete the great achievement of walking the Camino Inglés, but they also raised over €20,000 for the Holy Family Care Centre in South Africa – a staggering amount that will guarantee that the children at the centre will receive the nourishment and care they need for at least six months. Their support is quite literally invaluable, and it is with grateful hearts that we thank them for their compassion and their friendship, on the Camino and beyond! Until next year – go raibh mile maith agaibh, agus Dia dhaoibh go léir!