From Pandemic to Pilgrimage

Thirty-two Toreros completed the historical Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in June, trekking 115 kilometers (70 miles) during a six-day span to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great at the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain.

“This group is now braided to one another,” reflects USD Director of International Engagement and Alumni Outreach Claudia Gonzales ’99 (BA), ’03 (MA), who planned the pilgrimage in tandem with Trafalgar Travel. “Over the course of three days, pilgrims were able to visit Alcala de Henares, El Prado, and Segovia before we made our way to our first base camp,” says Gonzales. “These excursions helped pilgrims adjust to the new time zone while keeping them active before the actual pilgrimage started.”

The Camino de Santiago, known in English as the “Way of St. James,” is a series of routes leading to the apostle’s shrine at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where many believe his burial site is located. The trek, a first for USD, was originally the idea of President James T. Harris, EdD.

“I read about the camino and thought it would be a great way for our alumni to be involved in one of our travel programs,” says Harris. “By the end, we were all spiritually connected and it was such a powerful example of God’s presence in the world and each of us and how the Holy Spirit can bring us all together. I’ve never had that group spiritual experience. It was powerful.”

Gonzales worked hard to make sure that the Catholic nuances of the pilgrimage were meaningful for all. “Private Masses were celebrated in the mornings at each of our hotels,” she says. “And each had a special intention, whether a wedding or death anniversary, and always for the wellbeing of the USD pilgrims on the journey.”

The pilgrimage was a metaphor for our journey of faith through life, with a beginning and end, said University Chaplain Father Robert Capone. “Personally, I felt a foretaste of heaven when we reached the cathedral square in Santiago — abiding joy and peace, with a sense that my heaven will be enriched by those I help on earth, those with whom I walk with along the way,” he says.

“I haven’t been actively involved in the university since graduating and this was a wonderful way to feel connected again,” says Kimberly Cesal ’92 (BBA), who celebrated her 27th wedding anniversary with husband David ’92 (BA) during the pilgrimage.

“We met at USD, so it was very special to be with the Traveling Toreros on this day,” she notes. “We enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and drinks at a charming inn near the lighthouse of Finesterre. President Harris gave a lovely toast to commemorate our anniversary, a birthday and a retirement in our group.”

Capone notes that every person on the journey enriched his first camino. “Our shared reflections and prayer united us in a spirit of mutual support, discovery and fun.”

Cesal echoes his sentiment. “Overall, the journey felt like the gospel reading of The Road to Emmaus,” she says. “I realized very concretely that Jesus has walked with me every step of the way. He is present to each one of us in the intricacies and beauty of our lives. It was the trip of a lifetime.”

This story is a sneak peak from the Fall 2022 issue of USD Magazine, which will be mailed out and posted online in mid-September. Click here to browse the magazine's website or check out back issues via the "archive" tab.

– Matthew Piechalak