Camino RAW – Full-of-Grace

The Camino Crush: When Hearts Meet on the Santiago Trail

A reflection on relationships found and lost on pilgrimage, and the beautiful journey to finding true love Walking Toward Truth Instead of Escape Six years ago, on what started as an ordinary June Monday, I had the most spontaneous idea: I would walk the Camino de Santiago as preparation to become a nun. By Wednesday, I was on an airplane, boots packed and heart full of the most peculiar intention. There I was—a young woman so certain of her...

Coming Home From Camino: A Mother’s Day Reflection

Three Mothers at the Heart of Resurrection Today I'm traveling back to Poland on Mother's Day – May 26th in our Polish tradition. As I journey home, I'm reflecting on three mothers who have shaped my spiritual resurrection years ago: my earthly mother whom I'll embrace today, the Mother Church to whom I returned after 17 years in the wilderness, and Mary, the Mother of the Church. The little me holding onto my mum Like the three women who...

The Day Everything Went Wrong (And Perfectly Right)

Airport musings after a shortened Camino The Comedy of Errors Picture this: a peaceful pilgrim, fresh from three nights in Santiago de Compostela, checking out of their hostel before 10 AM with the serene confidence of someone who has just walked the Camino. That was me this morning—strolling through Santiago's ancient streets one last time, breathing in the cathedral's timeless presence, choosing to skip the four-hour queue I'd already...

The Sacred Art of Waiting: Camino Day 16

A Santiago Pilgrimage Reflection Faith is often less about movement and more about stillness. Today, my second day in Santiago de Compostela, I discovered this truth through four hours spent within the cathedral walls - a masterclass in pilgrimage patience that no amount of walking could have taught me. A busy morning in Compostela Small Graces and Gentle Transitions Last night, I had worried about switching from a hotel to a pilgrim hostel,...

A Smile from Saint James

Santiago de Compostela - Day 15 Today I write from Santiago de Compostela, not having walked the complete path as planned, but arriving nonetheless with a heart full of wonder. The pilgrimage called me back to Poland with urgent matters, yet here I am, and I feel Saint James himself has been smiling upon this journey. Yesterday’s view from the hotel balcony This pilgrimage has been profoundly different from my 2019 walk along the entire...

Camino Day 14: Neither Last Nor Least

Cardañuela-Riopico to Burgos - 8 kilometers I woke in the albergue to the most restful sleep I've had in two weeks. Perhaps it's the lightness that comes with a difficult decision finally made - the relief of accepting what needs to be, rather than clinging to what I had hoped. For days I had wrestled with the choice between continuing the pilgrimage or returning home, and now there's peace in knowing my path. At Cardañuela-Riopico they read...

Barbed Wire and Open Heavens: Finding Grace in Unexpected Endings. Camino Day 13

The Unexpected For days, the question has followed me like a shadow on this Camino journey: Should I continue to Santiago or listen to my body's increasing protests? The recurring infection, the sudden legal and practical matters awaiting in Poland, the limited windows to connect with my husband during his contract work—all these have weighed on my mind. Today, after a meaningful conversation with my Ken, the decision crystallized with...

Day 12 on the Camino: from Grañón to Villafranca Montes de Oca

Searching Gentleness Last night, as darkness settled over Grañón, we gathered in the choir of San Juan Bautista church. Through a secret passage from the albergue, we entered the silent sanctuary, illuminated only by the altar lights and tea candles burning on either side of each one of us – representing pilgrims past and those yet to come. We sat in ancient choir stalls, the kind once used by monks and nuns, each person enclosed in their...

Day 11 on the Camino: Najera to Grañón

Morning Challenges Morning broke in Najera with the weight of yesterday's mistakes still lingering. The sun had not yet fully risen as I set out, my feet speaking their own language. A new blister on my right foot, patched and padded with tissue in my sock. Small adjustments that made the difference between suffering and walking. The body learns its own wisdom on the Camino. Najera I reached Azofra early, stopping at a small bar for breakfast....

Camino Day 10: When the Pilgrim’s Path Diverts: Logroño to Nájera

The Joy of Return to the Camino The morning sun rose with promise as my feet carried me forward along the Camino. After three nights of forced rest in Logroño, battling illness and fever, my body finally allowed me to resume my journey. Little did I know that fate had conspired to test not my body but my spirit on this day of my pilgrimage. The Pilgrims of Logroño I walked with a rekindled excitement that surprised even me. The joy of...