July 2025 Newsletter
Dear Friends,
Twenty five years ago this past June, I arrived in Santiago de Compostela at the end of my first Camino. As everyone who has done a pilgrimage will attest, there are many memorable moments. For me, one of the highlights was spending the night in Grañón, La Rioja. From my journal:
The refugio is in the bell tower. Up a stone stairway past a window full of geraniums. Up another flight into a cozy room with leather chairs, a dining table, and standing before a large fireplace- Paco- a young Belgian volunteer. Up another flight we sleep on mats on the floor. Up yet another flight, in the belfry, we wash our clothes. We are three pilgrims, all women -two Americans, one French travelling with her horse Penelope, tied out in the yard. Dinner is a communal-lentil and nettle (collected by Raquel) soup, bread, wine, strawberries and roast potatoes added by Father José Ignacio Díaz, one of the legends of the early Camino volunteer network.
After dinner we move to the choir loft. As we begin Evening Prayer, Fr. Díaz opens a large book inscribed with the names of each pilgrim who has spent a night here. Next to each name is the date they hope to arrive in Santiago. Each night he and tonight we, will pray by name for these pilgrims, continuing one week, past their expected arrival date. He adds our names to the list. We go to bed feeling loved and protected.
Another time, in the tiny hamlet of San Juan de la Ortega (population 8!) the priest, Father José Maria Alonso, combines the pilgrim Mass with a wedding of a woman who has grown up in the village. His sermon, to a motley congregation of scruffy pilgrims and elegant wedding guests, is memorable, relating the pilgrimage of marriage to the pilgrimage to Santiago. Following the service, the wedding party goes their way. Back in the albergue, the priest and his sister ladle garlic soup into tin cups. One by one we pilgrims add our own contributions of food and drink to the meal. A heavenly banquet on earth never to be forgotten. We feel loved and cared for.
Finally, in Rabanal, at Refugio Gaucelmo, a refuge run by the Confraternity of Saint James in Britain, afternoon tea is served by two volunteers. We feel welcomed.
Why am I telling these stories?
I am telling them because for me, each one illustrates the vital role that ministry plays in every pilgrim journey.
Much has changed on the Camino in 25 years. Some albergues now feature private rooms, swimming pools, air conditioning, and elevators. Today, climbing up four flights of stairs and sleeping on a mat on the floor are exceptions.
One thing that has not changed is the hospitality and generosity shown to pilgrims by volunteers and clergy. This is the reason that the Friends of the Anglican Centre in Santiago exists. This is why we offer free bed and breakfast to each chaplain who serves the pilgrims. This is why those same chaplains are willing to pay their own expenses to come to Santiago and offer as our mission statement says “hospitality, learning, healing, hope and love" to anyone who comes through our doors or into our church.
In Madrid, Bishop Carlos continues to welcome parish groups from the USA such as the group pictured below, from Redeemer, Sarasota Florida. He begins in the cathedral with a shell service and pilgrim blessing, and finishes with a meal in the garden. When his schedule allows, he often travels to Santiago to meet the groups at the end of their walk, offering a final Eucharist at San Fiz and welcoming them to Casa Anglicana before they return home.
In Santiago, our move to San Fiz next to the Mercado de Abastos has resulted in an increase of visitors and increased interest in our ministry. On our website, we get frequent requests for our opening hours and service times. Friends and contacts in Santiago, the Tourist Bureau, the Pilgrim Office, and some hotels have also asked for our schedule so they can assure pilgrims and visitors are given accurate information about our ministry.
In previous years it has been left to each chaplain to determine for him/herself a working schedule. This flexibility has created confusion for both chaplains and pilgrims. The “Anglican Camino Ministry” steering committee, consisting of representing each of the four jurisdictions that provide chaplains, met recently to address this issue.
The simplified schedule shown below is a result of input from past and current chaplains. This is the schedule we will follow going forward, which we hope will make it easier for everyone.
NB this may vary slightly if there is no priest available, or if the chaplain is a Deacon.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, mornings, the church may be open by lay volunteer
Munhee Kim (Daniella) from the WEC, España.
To confirm schedule, contact Casa Anglicana at casanglicana@gmail.com
As always, any group coming to Santiago is welcome, and with prior notice, may arrange for its own service at a time which is convenient for the group. The same invitation applies for visits to Casa Anglicana where the coffee pot is always on and visitors are always welcome drop in. Pictured below is a group with Bishop Greg Rickel, Assisting Bishop in Southeast Florida.
We are midway through the pilgrim season. Chaplains have been in residence since mid-March and will continue through mid-November. To date, seven chaplains, two from the Church of England (Canon Chris Stone and the Rev. Dr. Karen Smith), one C of E Diocese in Europe, (Father Nick Finlay), three Friends’ Board members (Canon Greg Foraker, Canon Spencer Reece, and Fr. John Beddingfield ), and finally, one Deacon, (Linda Aristando from the diocese of New Jersey), have stayed at the Casa and held services at San Fiz.
From Fr. John’s organizing the opening of San Fiz, to Canon Chris’ Holy week Triduum, to Deacon Linda’s welcoming a group from Christ Church Ponte Vedra, to Mother Karen’s departure last week, they and each of our chaplains have been living out the first principle of the Friend’s mission. “To provide a place for prayer, reflection and renewal.”
Deacon Phyllis, despite not being able to celebrate the Eucharist herself, was able to offer it frequently thanks to ordained clergy like Archdeacon Jonathan Crowder from the C of E and Father James Holland from British Columbia and our friends Rvdo Javier Alonso and Rvda Adela Ben Couto from the Spanish Episcopal Church who offered their services. During her one-month residency she was busy welcoming up to 150 visitors to the church most days. In one five-day span she welcomed groups from St. James, Madison Avenue, The Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota, Trinity Church Boston, and Holy Trinity, New York City, and a Rhode Island Group with Insiders Travel.
The Rev. Dr. Karen Smith has just finished stay and returned to Cambridge.
For a glimpse of the life of a chaplain in Santiago, please click the link and read Mother Karen’s excellent account (edited from longer “chaplains report” of her time in Santiago.) I hope you will take the time to read this beautifully written, thoughtful and moving report.
If you or your congregation are planning to be in Santiago during the next five months, we have chaplains waiting to welcome you:
July 5-19- Rev. Patrick Keyser, National Cathedral, Washington DC
July 12-19- Rev. Malcolm French, St Simon’s Church, Oakville, Canada
July 19-August 9- Rev. Louanne Loch, St. James, Islamorada /Christ Church Ponte Vedra, FL
August 9-30- Bishop Doug Sparks, Bishop of Northern Indiana
August 30-Sept 13- Rev. Stan Runnels, St. Paul’s, Kansas City, Missouri
September 13-27- Rev. John Cunningham, Church of England
September 27- October 4- Rev. Gary Sturni, Retired, Connecticut
October 4-18- Rev. Elizabeth Poppelwell, St Luke’s, Cedar Falls, Iowa
October 18- November 1- Rev David Evans, Church of England
November 1-15- Rev. Sue Stilwell, Church of England
Looking ahead. We are beginning to work on the Chaplain Rota for 2026. There is much interest in in joining this ministry. The steering committee will be putting together an application for those interested. Check this site for details. Please consider becoming a part of this vital and rewarding ministry.
Finally, on a personal note, I want to thank you for all your prayers as my grandson Liam battled pneumonia and severe septic shock earlier this Spring. After nearly 3 weeks on life support in Intensive Care, he is home, fully recovered and working at his summer job. His first text to me when came out of his medically induced coma. “I am alive.” His doctor’s call him the miracle kid.
A different pilgrimage--but there too, visiting chaplains ministered to him and his family. There too, they were protected, cared for and loved. I give thanks to them as I give thanks for each of our own chaplains. They are the heart and soul of our ministry.
Nancy H. Mead, Board President