Verbum Dei Camino ’24 - Encountering Life on the Way

By Joan Wong. Posted on 08 Jun 2024.

Earlier in June 2023, I learned that the Verbum Dei Missionaries were planning to lead a group to walk the Camino de Santiago the following year. Although I do not feel comfortable travelling to places outside of Asia, I was intrigued and prompted with this thought: “If this trip takes place, just go. Try something new. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” My older brother had also been on the Camino 5 years ago and shared that he had a good experience too. So, when the announcement came in November 2023, I indicated my interest right away.

Over the next couple of months leading up to D-Day, the Missionaries organised hiking, logistic and spiritual preparatory sessions for the participants. On my own, I practised walking long distances carrying a backpack and walking in my hiking shoes to break them in and get used to them. I also spent time in prayer and reflection, asking the Lord what intentions He would like me to bring into this walk for my own growth:

1. Seek Jesus, my First Love. To walk with Him.
2. Be present in the moment instead of worrying unnecessarily about the next day or the next few days.
3. Be open to a different way of walking in life.
   • This was my takeaway from the last spiritual preparatory session led by Sr Monika using the guidelines of Mark 1:16-20, when Jesus called his first disciples. Just as they left something and someone that was familiar to them, I was called on this trip to learn to leave behind what was familiar to me and come onto this time away with a spirit of openness.

Apart from the first 2 days which were spent travelling and adjusting to our surroundings, the daily pilgrim routine was as follows: Breakfast, the day’s reflection & guidelines led by the Missionaries, the walking itself, community lunch once we reached the town for the day, Mass if available, and finally free time. We would make our own dinner arrangements, some choosing to stick together while others choosing to turn in early. Doing laundry and exploring the town was also a routine activity.

The highlight was definitely reaching our ‘final destination’, which was the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The transition from the “new town” to the “old town” was drastic as walking paths changed from pavements to cobblestones. We were all smiles and congratulated each other because: We did it! We also received warm welcomes and wishes from other pilgrims who were gathering outside the cathedral. I recall feeling moved in that moment as I finally understood what it meant when the Church is said to be ‘universal’ - People of all nationalities being in the same place, at the same time and praising God for bringing them to the end point safely. During the pilgrims' mass held in the Cathedral, the celebrant listed the nationalities of pilgrims present, and Singapore was mentioned among them. I felt extremely proud during that moment too.

After a full day of rest and sightseeing in Santiago de Compostela, we travelled to the Verbum Dei Missionary Centre located in Loeches, a town on the outskirts of Madrid, for our retreat. As we were shown around the compound, I was amazed by how much thought was put into the building. The building was connected by three wings to symbolise The Trinity, with each wing having a chapel dedicated to each person of The Trinity. I felt a sense of “home” in seeing the familiar components of a Verbum Dei chapel there - The world map, the tabernacle, Mary, and the Crucifix. Another thing that I was most excited about was seeing the statue of The Trinity, which I had heard about previously, in-person.

The retreat was led by Sr Leti and Verbum Dei Disciple Diana. The guidelines we used were the narratives on The Road to Emmaus [Luke 24:11-31] and Peter Healing a Lame Beggar [Acts 3:1-10]. Although the Camino was a pilgrimage itself, the time of prayer and reflection centred on the Word of God allowed us to recollect the experience and recall the moments where we could recognise Jesus. We were invited to bring these back into our daily lives, not just for ourselves but to share it with others.

My concrete takeaways

At the time of writing this reflection, it has been about two weeks since we returned. Yet, I am still discovering the fruits of the Camino in my daily life. Here are some of my concrete takeaways that I have discovered thus far.

1. “Home” is wherever Jesus is

2. To grow in faith, we must move forward and not look back
   • During the Camino, we would stay in one town for one day and move on to the next without returning. Every trail we trekked was also walked only once.
   • I am reminded of the guidelines used on day 2 of the Camino: “Jesus said, “Anyone who starts to plough and then keeps looking back is of no use for the Kingdom of God.” [Luke 9:62 - The Cost of Following Jesus].
   • When we agree to follow Jesus, He invites us to leave behind everything so that we may experience the newness of life in, with, and through Him. However, Jesus does not call us to disregard our past experiences either. If we look at our past, it is to acknowledge it and to recall in thanksgiving the graces that He had given to us during that time that allowed us to be who and where we are today.

3. Encountering Jesus will change us. But on our part, we need to make the decision to act and return to our daily lives and live it differently.
   • When we encounter Jesus, our hearts are transformed to move towards Him. He invites us to see our day-to-day activities in a new light, particularly in His light.

To end off this reflection, I would like to share with you, dear reader, a quote from Pope Francis that stayed with me throughout the Camino: “It is terrible to walk alone, terrible and tedious. Walking in community, with friends, with those who love us, this helps us, it helps us to arrive precisely at the destination where we must arrive.”

May we walk the real "Camino" of life with Jesus, so that one day we will reach our true final destination of Heaven where we will be with Him and see Him face-to-face.