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the pilgrimage What it all means
The Rev. James M. Daprile, pastor of St. Brendan Church in Youngstown, and his traveling companion, the Rev. James Schutte, pastor of St. Leo Church in Cincinnati, made a 33-day and 500-mile pilgrimage from St. Jean Pied dePort, France, to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. They presented a recent program on their trip at St. Brendan’s and on Wednesday will repeat it at St. Leo’s.
Compostela: The Rev. James Daprile said that “compostela” means “field of stars” and refers to a legend about where St. James’ remains were buried, forgotten and then recovered. He said history and Scripture don’t mesh in a time line concerning St. James’ ministry. Tradition has St. James, one of Jesus’ Apostles, preaching Christianity in Spain, then returning to Judea, where he was put to death by Herod. His body, Father Daprile said, was eventually returned to Compostela, hence the destination of the pilgrimage and the site of sacred relics.
Symbol: The seashell or scalloped shell is a symbol of the pilgrimage. An explanation recounts that after James’ death, his body was mysteriously transported to Spain to be buried in Santiago. As the ship approached, a wedding was taking place on shore. The young bridegroom’s horse was spooked, and the horse and rider went into the sea. A miracle brought back the horse and rider, and they were covered in seashells. A secondary meaning focuses on the grooves in the shell, representing various pilgrimage routes.
Arrows: The two pointed out six elements of the pilgrimage. Arrows point the way on a practical level. “They mirror Jesus as the way,” Father Schutte said.
Shoes, backpacks, poles: They reflect the preparation for the trip. “There is a sense of selflessness for the greater cause,” Father Schutte said. Father Daprile said knee problems caused a change in “expectations and experience.”
Terrain: The landscape was varied with plains and mountains. “It was a liturgy of the land,” Father Schutte said. “Life is movement, a journey,” he said, noting that traveling the road meant decisions every day and a continuous commitment to continue. They also noted the sounds of life — cows in pastures and sounds of nature — the magnitude and magnificence of God’s creation.
Footprints: On the road, the priests said they could see the footprints of other pilgrims in the dust on the road. “It was a communion of saints,” Father Schutte said.
Crosses: The cross is a marker of faith. The cross of St. James is distinctive as the handle and lower part resembles a sword.
Santiago: St. James is recognized for bringing the Gospel to Spain and under his patronage, the Moors were routed out of the country. St. James spread the word of Jesus and wielded a sword. “There is complexity in being a pilgrim and slayer,” Father Daprile said. The alpha and omega, symbols on the cathedral, are reversed ...the end is the beginning.