Pilgrims' Steps

Book excerpt: The Way embodies the fulfillment of a pilgrimage route tied to sacred terrain shared by prehistoric man, ancient Bronze Age peoples, early Christians, pilgrims of the Middle Ages, and today's faithful. To do pilgrimage to Compostela is to be part of all of this. The Way's valleys and hills, tree enshrouded paths and streams continue to connect humanity with the celestial divide and return us to ourselves as we find place in the fulfillment here on Earth. Santiago's sacred route takes humanity to a threshold veiled by a mosaic of lore and myth. It invites us to a more intimate solidarity with our past, and with ourselves. The waters of his mountain streams and verdant hillocks dispel the disquiet of our world, whispering to us that we are finally home.