Letter from the Chair – Winter 2026
Winter 2026 letter from American Pilgrims on the Camino Board Chair Rachel Ganzon plus a summary of the October 2025 meeting of the American Pilgrims Board of Directors.
What Makes a Pilgrim
A woman berates herself for not living up to the idea she had about what constitutes a “real” pilgrim. When she finally allows herself to accept help, she comes to understand what it means to be a pilgrim.
The Vision to See Everyday Small Miracles
A husband and wife discover that the Camino fosters openness and generosity along with the space and pace to notice and appreciate simple, everyday acts of kindness as small miracles.
Chapter Happenings – Winter 2026
A Winter 2026 compilation of American Pilgrims on the Camino chapter happenings.
The “Miracle” of Agés
A man develops a crippling limp on one side of his body that he believes has ended his Camino. Talking with fellow pilgrims over dinner, he learns the cause of and remedy for his affliction, giving him courage and hope to complete his Camino.
New Spanish Federation Hospitalero Age Limits, Many Ways to Serve on Camino
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.
The Last Deployment
As an F-14 pilot flying a mission over Lebanon in 1983 prays for courage, he promises to walk the Camino when his deployment ends. Still haunted by that promise four decades later, he finally makes the journey to Santiago de Compostela, carrying with him the weight of the 241 U.S servicemen killed in Beirut all those years before.
Film Review – Camino de Santiago: The Pilgrims Speak
A review of Camino de Santiago: The Pilgrims Speak, a documentary short film by Rich Henkels. Every pilgrim has a story to tell of their reasons for making a pilgrimage, and Henkels helps several pilgrims tell theirs, which range from spiritual and religious to recreation and personal growth.
I Am Not Throwin‘ Away My Pack
In these song lyrics set to the rap rhythm of “My Shot” from Broadway’s Hamilton, Evan Massaro playfully highlights quintessential details—blisters, snoring, café con leche, tortilla española, cows, sideways rain, and more—that are a shorthand language of the Camino experience, fostering an “if you know, you know” sense of solidarity among fellow pilgrims.
The Day I Transformed from Tourist to Pilgrim
Rupert sets out on his walk across Spain as a tourist on a great vacation. Then one day in the sweltering heat, he comes upon Lesley, who he’d only met the day before and is now struggling in the heat. He pours water on her head and neck, then picks up and carries her pack. As they make slow and silent progress to the next town, they connect in the way humans looking out for one another do. In that moment, Rupert knows he’s transformed from tourist to pilgrim.