Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela by Jack DeGroot
While reading a Medieval pilgrim guide, the Liber Sancti Jacobi, Codex Calixtinus (1139), Jack de Groot becomes intrigued by its contents. What exactly is a pilgrim? Why do ten pf thousands of persons go on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela every year? To what extent have the circumstances changed since the first pilgrims walked in the ninth century? How does one benefit from an experience which, very likely, will include some hardship? What to look for and how to find it? How to prepare? The author decides to become a pilgrim himself to compare his predecessors writings with today's realities. On his way the pilgrim discovers that he becomes the protagonist of his own, private legend. Through profound thoughts, intimate conversations, inexplicable coincidences and through the imprints of his/her footsteps the pilgrim continuously relives and revives a religious tradition. The Chronicle of Love which emerges from this religious tradition proves to be even more intricate than the pilgrimage itself. It provides up-to-date answers to legendary questions.