Inspired by St. James the Apostle’s goal to promote Christianity in the ninth century, I went on a journey this summer. Over 400,000 contemporary pilgrims follow one of its numerous routes each year; mine led from St. Jean Pied-de-Port, France, via northern Spain to the location of St. James’ tomb.
As a Spanish-American child, I viewed the Camino as an experience people took during times of transition. It’s a rite of passage in Spain, where many high school students opt for it over opulent pre-university vacations. I frequently pondered what it would be like to reunite with my old classmates. I went to Rome for the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope this spring as a participant in a MAGIS Immersion Seminar that examined pilgrimage. Traveling with my classmates, attending Mass in the Rooms of St. Ignatius, and entering the Holy Doors brought me closer to Christ than I have ever felt. I came back full-hearted and prepared to put God at the center of my life.
Therefore, it seemed omen-like when I found an all-expense-paid scholarship for young Catholics that January. I couldn’t resist the appeal because of my Spanish ancestry, my theology class, and my personal interest in the Camino. Yes, I replied.
My Journey
“May the Camino lead you to what you were not even aware you were looking for.” Halfway across Spain, in Logroño, I first saw those words spray-painted on the side of a drab gray electrical box. Throughout the 31 days I spent walking 780 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela, they left an indelible mark on my mind.
I have to go back a little, to Georgetown, before I ever stepped foot on the route, to explain why that statement struck me so strongly. To be honest, I daydream about stuff I don’t have a lot of the time. That’s the drawback of being 19 and using the internet all the time. We are conditioned by Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn to aspire to other people’s model bodies, dream vacations, or desired internships. I’ve been in that situation more times than I’d like to acknowledge: I see something dazzling and instantly believe that it’s necessary for my happiness.
I applied to a lot of clubs when I first got at Georgetown in the fall of 2023. And I was turned down from all of them: the tour guide society, a pre-professional sorority, and soccer. I was devastated at the time. Oddly enough, those “no’s” actually made room for larger “yeses.” I discovered GU Politics, Survivor Georgetown, the 1634 Society, and Catholic Retreats. Each gave me purpose, mentorships, and friendships I never would have thought possible. But at the time, I was only aware of my shortcomings.