What is Lent but a spiritual journey to the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus? Lent is a time for us to renew our dedication to Jesus and the demands of discipleship. It's a time to rejoice with the candidates and catechumens who will be receiving the Sacraments of Initiation or being received into the Church at the Easter Vigil liturgy. We journey through the 40 days with special purpose, looking to Easter glory.

 

What better way to live Lent than to go on a pilgrimage. But, if you can't actually go somewhere, why not do a virtual pilgrimage? That's just what the new film, Santiago: The Camino Within, offers. The film will be in theaters one night only on Tuesday, March 28, through Fathom Events. For more information, click here.

 

Many have heard of the Camino de Santiago. It's an ancient pilgrimage route dating back to medieval times. There are many routes that begin in France and continue into Spain, ending at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the final resting place of the Apostle James.

 

Audiences are given the privilege of joining Bishop Donald Hying as he walks the Camino, talking to pilgrims and offering spiritual insights inspired by what he sees and experiences along the way.

 

 

 

Screenshot from "Santiago The Camino Within."  © 2023 Ahava Productions. All Rights Reserved. 

 

 

The story goes that James the Apostle went to Spain to preach the Gospel but didn't experience much success. Dejected and discouraged, he decided to return to the Holy Land but Mary appeared to him and reminded him of his mission. Encouraged, St. James continued his ministry in Spain.

 

As he plods along, Bishop Hying reflects on many subjects such as the variety of motivations people have for walking the Camino. People become pilgrims to answer such questions as "why are we here?" and "what are we looking for?". He reflects on the meaning of Church and community. The bishop discovers that what most of the pilgrims seek is connection to other people.

 

Take 10-year-old Adrian, for example, who is walking the Camino with his family. Then there's Benjamin from France who does the Camino every year as a vacation with family in order to "discover my family again" after being away from them during the year. Mitchell travels the Camino with his wife all the way from Korea and the experience has humbled him and filled his heart with gratitude for all the blessings God has given him.

 

 

 

Adrian and his family in a screenshot from "Santiago The Camino Within."  © 2023 Ahava Productions. All Rights Reserved. 

 

 

The film offers a wonderful opportunity to enter spiritually into the experience of the Camino. If I could walk the Way, why would I do it? How might it change me? What would I be seeking? How might it draw me closer to God? How might it draw me closer to other people? Do I take time to experience the beauty that surrounds me, no matter where I am? Where do I need to grow in humility and gratitude? Am I able to live in the moment? Can I embrace the "dying to self" that walking the Camino requires?

 

 

 

Bishop Hying blesses pilgrims in "Santiago The Camino Within."  © 2023 Ahava Productions. All Rights Reserved. 

 

 

All of these questions are great fodder for Lenten reflection. If you only do one special thing during what's left of Lent, perhaps experiencing this film and making your own cinematic pilgrimage might be it.

 

As the pilgrims of the Camino say: Buen Camino! May you be blessed on your journey!