Registration is still open for young adults interested in making a pilgrimage right here in the Diocese of Gary.
The event is inspired by Northern Spain’s centuries old pilgrimage trail, the Camino de Santiago. Young adults are invited on a spiritual walking pilgrimage in their own backyard. Pilgrims (18 years and older) will journey approximately 10.5 miles on Saturday, July 25.
Pilgrims will start with an opening prayer and blessing from Bishop Robert McClory at St. Mary church in Crown Point. Then they will walk along the Erie Lackawanna trail from Crown Point to Highland. In Highland, pilgrims are invited to rest at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and end their journey by receiving their Compostela, or official document of completion.
This event is free, thanks to support from St. Mary in Crown Point. Registration is available at the following website: www.garyoyya.org/nwicamino
The inaugural NWI Camino took place in 2018. Solomon Burgo was among the participants. Burgo now chairs the event, which he credits for changing his life.
"At the time, I was really seeking the company of other young people," he said. "So when a friend told me about this event, I was all for it. I thought it would be a great way to meet other young Catholics."
When Burgo showed up, he did not know anyone but he made great friends.
"That one weekend changed the course of my life forever, opening up whole new worlds to me -- Right to Life stuff, retreats, diocesan events, tons of awesome people ... I can trace them all back to that two-day journey," he said