Pilgrimages of Europe: El Rocio, Spain & Santiago de Compostela, Spain

EL ROCIO, Spain
The Romeria de El Rocio, in Andalusia in the deep south of Spain, is the most important pilgrimage to the Blessed Mother on the Iberian Peninsula. The many pilgrims who flock to the little town every year come to venerate the Holy Virgin of El Rocio, also known as the Virgin of the Dew. During the week before Pentecost a million pilgrims, the Rocieros, make their way to El Rocio on foot, on horseback, in oxcarts, on tractors or in cars. The trip often takes many days. During the night after Pentecost Sunday the Virgin emerges from the church to greet her people. For the people of Andalusia there will always be an El Rocio. The day after Pentecost the Rocieros begin preparations for the following year. For them El Rocio is more than just a pilgrimage. It is a way of life.

SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, Spain
Santiago de Compostela was one of the three holy cities of the world during the Middle Ages. From far and wide pilgrims made their way on foot to the city in northwestern Spain to visit the shrine of the apostle, St. James. According to the legend, James went to Spain after Christ's crucifixion to preach the gospel. On his return to Jerusalem he was captured by King Herod and beheaded. The friends and followers of James put the apostle's body in a boat and pushed it out to sea. After a journey of many months, the body, covered in seashells, washed ashore in Galicia on the western coast of Spain. The shell later became the symbol of St. James Way. James was buried further inland. His tomb was discovered around 850 A.D. and since then pilgrims have visited his shrine in greater or lesser numbers. About 8,000 pilgrims from across Europe still make the journey every year. At the Pyrenees they begin to converge. In Spain only one road, the Camino, leads to Santiago.