The Credencial

Today we are showing you a sample of the Credencial del Peregrino that will be given to all participants walking El Camino de los Santos. This is our version of the pilgrim's credencial given to those walking the Camino in Spain.  It is used to prove that each individual has walked past the various check points along the Camino.  In Spain this is used to allow a peregrino to stay in the pilgrim hostels at a low and reasonable fee.  On our Camino this will simply show that no shortcuts were taken and the route was followed as designed.  

Outside of Credencial

Inside of Credencial 

Inside of Credencial

When all is said and done - walking the Camino becomes a fond memory - the Credencial keeps the peregrino connected to those memories and the changes that took place while on Camino.

Buen Camino

Deacon Dale 

Firmas y Sellos

Literally Firmas y Sellos means signatures and stamps.  When walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela one has to collect signatures or stamps from each pilgrim hostel - alburgue - that they stay at - as a way of proving that they are truly a peregrino - pilgrim - walking on pilgrimage. If one does not have the pilgrim "passport" - a Credencial - they have to find other sleeping arrangements.  In order to help those walking El Camino de Los Santos feel more like a peregrino in Spain -  we have designed our own version of the pilgrim passport.  Each peregrino will receive a Credencial before we begin our trek.  There are four spaces on the Credencial for each leg of this Camino. All four spaces are reserved for four special stamps representing Saint Patrick Church - Saint Mary Church - the Yorkville Foxes - the Plano Reapers.

   

Each sello is color coded and will be stamped on the Credencial as the peregrino passes that check point. Everyone who walks the entire Camino will end up with eight sellos in total - four for each leg. These will become a souvenir and memento of their accomplishment and reminder of this spiritual experience.  Coming next a picture of the Credencial - until then keep on trekking..

Buen Camino

Deacon Dale 

New Camino Logo

Here is something new for the readers of this blog - a new logo for El Camino de los Santos.  We will be using this logo on the commemorative t-shirts for the trek that we are sponsoring on July 6, 2013.  There is no fee to participate in the Saturday trek from Saint Patrick Parish in Yorkville to Saint Mary Parish in Plano.  However if you want a shirt to commemorate your participation you need to make a minimum donation to the Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Shrine Fund of $20 

For your donation you will get a 50/50 t-shirt with the logo above printed in blue on a bright orange shirt. The back of the shirt will have the Knights of Columbus logo.  A limited quantity will be available on the day of the walk.  If you would like to reserve one for yourself please let us know very soon.

Buen Camino

Deacon Dale and Chaplain Arlene

The Shrine - To Be

The morning part of our July 6th trek takes us from Saint Patrick Parish in Yorkville, Illinois to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Saint Mary Church in Plano, Illinois.  That is a new shrine and was dedicated by the bishop this past May 2013.  It is almost complete - with a few final touches still waiting to be completed.

The afternoon part of this trek begins at 1:00pm leaving from Saint Mary Parish in Plano and heading to the site of the future Shrine of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla.  Right now the location of that shrine is a patch of grass located behind the site of  the former Emmaus House at Saint Patrick Parish.  Although this new shrine is still in development stages - we will be able to at least visit the site.  This is history in the making.

Shrine of Saint Gianna Molla

There are no artist's renderings yet - most of the pictures and shrines already constructed typically depict Saint Gianna with one or more children.  She was a mother - wife and physician - and in the process of giving birth to her last daughter - made the decision to save the baby - rather than herself - an act that has earned her sainthood.  There are numerous other women who have made this same tough decision - and it is for those women - and for all who face the decision of giving life or taking it - that this shrine is being constructed.   Led by Father Matt Lamoureux MIC - Pastor of Saint Patrick - the Yorkville Knights of Columbus Council is spearheading a campaign to finance this project.  One of the focuses of the Knights is solid support of the Pro-Life issue.  

This Camino experience - has as a second focus and intent - the goal of bringing the issue of Pro-Life to the attention of those previously unexposed.  We support Father Matt and his vision and pray that though our tiny efforts on this Camino - all of us who participate may not only be exposed to the Camino experience but also deepen our own personal commit to Life. 

Buen Camino

Deacon Dale and Chaplain Arlene          

The Shrine

The Shrine to focus on today is Our Lady of Guadalupe in Plano located at Saint Mary Church. This morning Arlene and I trekked to the Shrine.  It took about 3 hours and 10 minutes to go from our home in Bristol to Plano.  Temperature was comfortable - warm but not hot.  We discovered that when you walk the back country roads you get a first hand opportunity to see how well or how poorly some roads are maintained.  Since most of the shoulders are filled with weeds that create extra drag on our boots - we chose to walk the blacktop. It is interesting how quickly 3 hours passes.  We did stop twice for short 5 minute breaks.  Upon arrival at the Shrine we said our prayers of thanksgiving for safelty on our trek.  Then we spent another 15 minutes at Saint Mary's adoration chapel before we headed back home.

Arlene Praying at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine - Plano, IL

Our training continues for both the Camino in Spain and our Mini-Camino on July 6th.  If you are free and able - please join us.

Buen Camino
Dale and Arlene 

Forms

There are two forms that are required to participate on this Camino.

Registration Deadline July 3, 2013

You must click the links provided below and print out each page. 

Your completed "Participation Form" should be mailed to:

 DeaconTravel Ministries  

PO Box 124   

Bristol, IL 60512

 OR

You may Sign and Scan your Form and send as an email attachment

to:  camino@deacontravel.org

If you want a commemorative Camino t-shirt, then indicate your shirt

size on the Participation Form and enclose your donation of $20 (if mailing)

otherwise your donation will be collected the day of the Camino.

Checks should be made out to:  St Gianna Molla Shrine Fund

Camino Participation Form (pdf)

http://www.deacontravel.com/uploads/CDLS2.pdf

Camino Participants Information Form (pdf)

http://www.deacontravel.com/uploads/CDLS3.pdf

c

camino@deacontravel.org

No email?  Phone Your Questions to Deacon Dale

630.334.5065

Buen Camino

Deacon Dale 

The Route

We have determined that the route previously called "alternate #3" is the best route for walking with youth.  Since this is a first run for this Camino - we want to keep it as manageable for those who will participate and as safe as possible.  We are in the process of printing commemorative t-shirts - that we will available for a donation of $20.  They will be bright orange - as in safety vest orange - to keep everyone as visible as possible.  The route itself is fairly flat - we are in Illinois aren't we - except for one valley/hill as we enter Plano.  The route will have two stops along the way at public parks that have outdoor toilet facilities for those who may need them.  We will also have people meet us at those stops to stamp our credencials and hand out water if needed.  Those walking should prepare to bring enough water for approximately 3 hours walking time. 

This is the route:

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyFitness

A credencial is being prepared that will allow for 4 stamps each way of the route. Finazlized

participation forms are being reviewed and will be available in another few days.  Check back soon so you can download your own copy of the required forms. 

Buen Camino

Deacon Dale