On this page you will find poems, texts and prayers on the theme of pilgrimage.
(These are texts that I find, not my own writings. I will keep adding to the page; please scroll down for new additions. Last updated: 4/3/20)
For all pilgrims
God be with thee in every pass,
Jesus be with thee on every hill,
Spirit be with thee in every stream,
Headland and ridge and moor.
Each sea and land, each path and meadow,
Each lying down, each rising up,
In the trough of the waves,
On the crest of the billows,
Each step of the journey thou goest.
(Gaelic traditional)
Excerpt From: “An Iona Prayer Book” by Peter Millar.
To the pilgrim
Go
from the day of your birth
you have been on the journey
Go
an encounter awaits you
with whom?
perhaps with your own self.
Go
your steps will be your words
the journey your song
your fatigue your prayer
and your silence will at last speak.
Go
with the others
but out of yourself
you that think yourself surrounded by unfriendliness
will find joy.
Go
although your spirit may not know where
your feet will carry your heart.
Go
another is coming to meet you,
and is searching for you
so that you can find Him in the sanctuary
at the end of the pilgrimage,
in the sanctuary deep inside your heart.
(From Walking to Santiago de Compostela, Muller and Aranguiz 1993)
Prayer for those embarking on the Camino de Santiago
We pray for these pilgrims (Names)………………
We pray that (Names)……………… be inspired by these examples of pilgrimage described in the Sacred Scriptures.
God the Father, we ask you to bless these scallop shells, the traditional symbols of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela – we pray that (Names)…………… bear them proudly to their destination at the Tomb of the Apostle.
We ask you to bless these sticks and rucksacks, symbols of the support (Names)……………
will receive from friends old and new who they will meet on the Way.
And to bless (Names)………………, may they travel safely and enjoy days of happy companionship, prayer along the way and nights of restful sleep until they reach their journey’s end.
Together we now say the Pilgrims’ Prayer:
St James, Apostle, chosen among the first, you were the first to drink the Cup of the Lord and you are the great protector of pilgrims. Make us strong in faith and happy in hope on our pilgrim journey, following the path of Christian life, and sustain us so that we may finally reach the glory of God the Father. Amen.
(Names)……………… as you go from this place to begin your final preparations, leave with the love and fond good wishes of all who know you.
Bow your heads as we pray for God’s blessing:
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your cheeks.
And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(From the official Pilgrim’s office in Santiago)
The Journey
O Father, give the spirit power to climb
To the fountain of all light, and be purified.
Break through the mists of earth, the weight of the clod,
Shine forth in splendour, thou that art calm weather,
And quiet resting place for faithful souls.
To see thee is the end and the beginning,
Thou carriest us, and thou dost go before,
Thou art the journey, and the journey’s End.
(Boethius 480-524 A.D.)
Stand, look, walk, rest
Stand at the crossroads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way lies;
and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.
(Jeremiah 6:16)
One Step Camino 