CHARLOTTE — Calling all 2025 Pilgrims of Hope! Have you ever wanted to hike the Camino de Santiago but were short of funds, time or energy? This year, put the excuses aside, because the experience will be available locally through the first 10-day hike of its kind: the Carolina Camino.
The Carolina Camino pilgrimage is modeled after the experiences Melinda and James Osborne, parishioners at Sacred Heart in Salisbury, had during their adventure on the Camino de Santiago – the famous Way of St. James. They journeyed through the countryside of Portugal and Spain as they traveled a portion of the historical route more than 400,000 pilgrims trek each year to reach the burial place of St. James the Apostle in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
“We had such a spiritual awakening on the Camino de Santiago that we wanted to build a similar spiritual experience for people that are not able to travel overseas, people from North Carolina and South Carolina who want to do this and do it locally,” said James Osborne. “When you are walking, you have time to let your mind spiritually wander and meditate on God. It is life changing.”
The pilgrimage will start Tuesday, Aug. 26, at St. Lawrence Basilica and will end at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte on Friday, Sept. 5 – just enough time to take off those hiking boots, grab a shower, and journey over to the 2025 Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress. Both churches are official diocesan pilgrimage destinations for the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.
Destinations along the way include the monastery of the Queen of Peace Benedictine Sisters in Rutherford, Immaculate Conception Church in Forest City, St. Mary Help of Christians Church in Shelby, and Belmont Abbey Monastery and its Mary Help of Christians Basilica in Belmont (another official diocesan jubilee pilgrimage destination).
Pilgrims will walk an estimated 14.5 miles daily, with some days longer than others.
For those wondering if they are physically capable of making a 145-mile journey, there will be a support van following with suitcases and supplies that can assist stragglers who need respite.
All proceeds from entry fees of $499.99 will go to Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte to support people devastated by Tropical Storm Helene.
— Lisa M. Geraci
For more: Learn more and sign up at www.carolinacamino.org
For more: Learn more and sign up at What is the Jubilee Year?
Learn more about the Jubilee Year of Hope and what you can do to join in the celebrations at www.charlottediocese.org/jubilee-2025