I Am a Pilgrim Who Lost Homeland

pilgrim lost homeland portomarin cong do autumn 2025 la concha

In this poem, Cong Do pays tribute to Portomarín, a town on the Camino Francés, whose residents in the 1960s were forced to abandon the original site of their hometown and rebuild on higher land.

The Birds Their Carols Raise

the birds their carols calla lily joyce detoni hill autumn 2025 la concha

A woman embarks on a Holy Week Camino longing for resurrection hope to restore her weary spirit. Through a chance encounter with a bird enthusiast along the way, she begins noticing the birdsong all around her, praying her into Easter Joy.

Physical Challenges, Spiritual Tests & Camino Angels

physical challenges vilma packard autumn 2025 la concha

Amidst physical challenges and spiritual tests, a woman experiences a sense of divine grace through the kind words and gestures of local people and fellow pilgrims, restoring her faith in humanity and carrying her safely to Santiago.

Fresh Eyes

fresh eyes lucy kegley autumn 2025 la concha

In this poem, Luci Kegley considers how a pilgrim journey fosters a new way of seeing oneself and way of life.

People Are the Way

people are the way pizza deborah gonzolez autumn 2025 la concha

As a woman reflects on her Camino, she considers poet Antonio Machado’s lines, “Walker, there is no path. The path is made by walking.” She would take it a step further: the path is made by the people you meet along the way.

One Clear Blue Morning

one clear blue morning jen manglos autumn 2025 la concha

A woman feeling deep loss after a friend’s death is surprised and comforted to sense her friend’s presence as she walks, imagining what might have been points of interest on her friend’s own Camino. As the woman sits in front of the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela, backlit by the loveliest blue sky, tears flow freely as she finally lets go of the painful loss, confusion, frustration, fear, and anxiety she had been carrying.

Book Review: Restoring Joy

Book Reviews restoring joy autumn 2025 la concha

A review of Colleen O’Toole’s Camino memoir Restoring Joy. Reviewer Joe Curro calls this deeply spiritual and at times humorous account “magical, hopeful, uplifting.”

Blessing on All Walkers

In the natural sights and sounds she observes while walking, poet Suzanne Doerge discovers a benediction for all who walk the pilgrim’s path.