Reflections on the chaplaincy
I was honored to be invited by Bishop Carlos López of the Anglican/Episcopal Reformed Church of Spain and Canon Nancy Mead, president of the Friends of the Anglican Pilgrim Centre, to be the Chaplain for 3 months in Santiago de Compostela. I served as Chaplain at La Casa Anglicana del Peregrino and Santa Susana Church from April to June 2024. It was a pleasure and privilege to serve.
At Santa Susana it was a personally enriching experience to be collaborating with such a diverse group of celebrants-from Spain, the USA and as far away as Singapore, but it also fulfilled my diaconal role in God’s holy church. When the Eucharist was not celebrated, I led the Daily Office on Sundays.
On the level of meeting and interacting with pilgrims from all around the world at La Casa Anglicana, we talked about their joys and struggles, deep learnings and motives to walk the Camino or The Way of St. James. Pilgrims walk for many reasons-health decisions, freedom of movement, being with their church group or just being alone and encountering whatever comes their way. For some, these were days without stress and away from “the office.”
An added thrill for me was to be able to converse in various languages with the pilgrims. I pride myself on speaking some languages in addition to English and it was a great joy. Of course, the use of translations via apps on the cell phone helped enormously with some languages. To a great extent, smiles and friendly gestures go a long way to aid in communication. Buenos Dias is in everyone’s vocabulary. Some would call the experience a mini-United Nations at the long Breakfast Table at La Casa Anglicana, and I agree.
To be a Chaplain at these venues, some skills are required. It is beneficial to speak Spanish. That opens up communication and enhances daily living experiences. Another is to know the rhythm of a church service, whether it is ecumenical, Episcopal, or Anglican or even a meditation. Sometimes it was saying the Daily Office together with just a few pilgrims. Welcoming pilgrims who stopped to appreciate the beauty of Santa Susana Church was itself an international adventure.
A Chaplain is a welcoming presence in any situation, whether to give a hearty hello, handshake, or to aid in de-briefing the experience of the Camino. Listening skills are paramount; we all want to have someone listen to us, and Chaplains do listen! I found that most pilgrims want to engage in conversation with other pilgrims too, so the Chaplain is a diplomatic connector among people of different parts of the world. At other times, the Chaplain may be a silent and calming anchor who is “just around.”
Lastly, respect for others and empathy are well-appreciated qualities of a Chaplain. Did I say a sense of humor is beneficial? Yes, indeed. Living in a country other than one’s own is a useful life skill too.
In summary, it was a blessing to be a Chaplain in Santiago de Compostela. I believe the mission of both La Casa Anglicana and Santa Susana Church was incorporated into my stay there. After all, it is a ministry of hospitality, healing, hope, learning, and love. As it is often said, the Camino begins here and now.
The Rev. Deacon Anita Miner
Episcopal Diocese of Utah USA
July 17, 2024