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SPAIN: Pilgrimage to help Sudan's forgotten children
By John Newton
Pupils at a Save the Saveable school in the Sudan
Aid to the Church in Need is giving everyone the chance to help Sudanese children while following one of Europe’s historic pilgrimage routes.
The charity will be holding a pilgrimage from León to Santiago de Compostela, in Spain from 5th to12th June – and the trek along the world-famous route will help to educate displaced children in the Sudan.
Christian pilgrimage tour operator Pax Travel – Aid to the Church in Need’s partner in the expedition to Santiago – will be giving a donation to the charity for every pilgrim who signs up, which will cover much of the cost of educating a child for a year.
More than 15,000 children living in displacement camps around Khartoum in the north of the Sudan are receiving an education thanks to the Save the Saveable schools programme.
For many families, the Save the Saveable schools provide the only opportunity for children to receive education based on Christianity.
Towards the end of the journey it is hoped that pilgrims will meet up with Damian Carroll, who is undertaking his own sponsored pilgrimage for the Save the Saveable children.
He will be walking the full length of the Camino – as the ancient route is called – from France over a period of six weeks.
It is planned that the pilgrims will meet up with Mr Carroll for the final entry into Santiago itself. Mr Carroll said: “It’s important to provide an education for these children who are living in conditions we cannot even imagine in the Sudan. I am glad to be doing all that I can to help them.”
The Santiago pilgrimage, which will be led by Aid to the Church in Need UK’s chaplain Father Martin Edwards, has been designed to be accessible to as many pilgrims as possible.
A coach will accompany pilgrims so that they do not have to walk if they are tired or would prefer to be driven, and hotel accommodation is provided throughout.
Organiser Portia Borrett from Aid to the Church in Need said: “The whole journey has been designed so that anyone who wants to can take part in travelling the Camino de Santiago in this special jubilee year of Saint James.
“Hopefully Aid to the Church in Need’s Santiago pilgrimage reflects Saint Benedict’s philosophy that ‘the strong may have something to strive for, and the weak may not be discouraged’.”
Jubilee years are held in Santiago whenever the feast of Saint James falls on a Sunday. The next one after 2010 will not be until 2021.
During the jubilee year a plenary indulgence is granted to any pilgrim who prays at the tomb of Saint James the Apostle in the Cathedral, and fulfils the usual conditions – prayer for the Pope’s intentions, communion and confession.
The Pilgrims’ Mass in the Cathedral will mark the climax of the Santiago pilgrimage. During Mass a giant incensiary, known as a ‘botafumeiro’ is swung.
Later, pilgrims will join members of Aid to the Church in Need from Spain and Portugal for a meal.
Flights for the Aid to the Church in Need Santiago pilgrimage will leave from Gatwick, Luton or Liverpool on 5th June 2010.
Find out more about Aid to the Church in Need’s Santiago pilgrimage
Find out more about the Save the Saveable schools in Sudan