Editor's note - back from the Ignatian Camino

Montserrat on the horizon

Dear ICN readers - Have just got back from walking the Ignatian Camino. (Many thanks to Simon and Ellen Teague, Bess Twiston Davies and others who kept the news up to date on ICN while I was away).

A group of us, led by Father Dominic Robinson SJ, went on the eight-day 200 km trek in the steps of St Ignatius Loyola - from the Shrine of St Peter Claver in Verdù across Catalunya to the Abbey of Montserrat and Manresa. The weather was hot and sunny every day. Walking partly along the roads, but often along steep rugged tracks, we passed through some stunning scenery and beautiful historic towns and villages.

I had planned to write a daily blog - but because of varying internet connections and sheer tiredness - only managed a couple. Instead I'm going to write some more posts here over the next few days.

This year we were walking to raise funds for Aid to the Church in Need projects for Syrian refugees in northern Iraq and Jesuit Refugee Services projects in London.

Watching some of the news from Syria each night really brought home to us the desperate plight of people there under bombardment - those men, women and children who are living in overcrowded refugee camps and the many thousands of people still on the move - making perilous journeys to safety with little support. Many refugees have walked for weeks - pushing wheelchairs, carrying all their possessions - without the good meals, showers and comfortable hotel beds that we enjoyed.

If you'd like to give a donation please see: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Farm-Street-Camino-Walkers

See also:

Walking in the steps of St Ignatius #2 www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=31025

Walking in the steps of St Ignatius #1 www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=31008