Hospitalero Corner

The Federación Española de Asociaciones de Amigos del Camino (FEAACS) recently announced age limits for hospitalero volunteers in the albergues that FEAACS oversees. While these age restrictions will impact some volunteers, it doesn’t change who may register for the American Pilgrims hospitalero training program, and there are many other service opportunities on the Camino to also consider.

American Pilgrims on the Camino bids a fond farewell to two dedicated hospitalero trainers.

As a Ribadiso Welcome Service volunteer and as an hospitalera, a woman discovers that she gains as much as she gives by listening to pilgrims’ personal stories.

A Winter 2026 compilation of highlights from those who have recently given their time in service on the Camino.

An hospitalero reflects on the miraculous way a random group of individuals, each a guest for just one night at Hospital de peregrinos San Juan Bautista in Grañón, Spain, works together to prepare a communal meal to be shared that evening. In doing so, they are taking part in the medieval tradition of pilgrim hospitality, just as the albergue’s founder had envisioned.

Have you had a meaningful interaction with an hospitalero or hospitalera on Camino and wondered, “Could I do that”? Daniel De Kay, a long-time trainer in the American Pilgrims hospitalero training program, offers some history and insights on being an hospitalero to help you see that, “Yes, you can!”

A Ribadiso Welcome Service volunteer discovers that it isn’t the Camino that provides, as the timeworn saying goes, but rather it’s the people we encounter along the way who make the real magic of the Camino.

An hospitalera recounts her experience of serving at Albergue de Peregrinos Siervas de María in Astorga, Spain, in August 2024.

When the road gets weary, songleader Tom Friesen finds there’s nothing like belting out a good tune to lift your spirits and lighten your load. And nothing creates Camino community quite like an albergue singalong.

A Pilgrim’s Reception Office volunteer finds that in listening to pilgrims unburden their sorrows and lift up their joys, his own emotional load is also lightened.