A “Faith Matters” Pilgrimage: The Camino de Santiago

By Rev. Paul FleckJuly

“Faith Matters” is a column that features pieces written by local religious figures.

In my faith tradition (United Methodist), clergy are encouraged to take paid sabbatical/renewal leave every six years. Approved by the Bishop and the Board of Ordained Ministry, sabbatical leave is designed to be a time of theological and spiritual growth for the clergyperson involving study, travel, or both. I am fortunate to have served in my extension appointment as Executive Director of Immigration Law & Justice New York long enough to receive such leave. I have decided to walk the Camino de Santiago in September for my time apart.

The Camino is believed to be the ancient “Way of St. James,” or, the route or routes that the Apostle James took to spread the Gospel among the people of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). Every year thousands of “peregrinos” take this pilgrimage.  It is a time of intense physical and spiritual growth for those undergoing the journey.

Even though I am a clergyperson, I must confess that—all too often—my faith is motivated more by my head than my heart. My faith is grounded in rational thinking and theological constructs rather than spiritual disciplines or mystical experiences. My experience of God is all-too-often limited to what I read on the page rather than encounters with the Holy Spirit.  Meditation, fasting, and prayer are afterthoughts rather than a central part of my day.  

This is why I am looking forward to unplugging from my daily workaday existence and praying with my feet. I am looking forward to fasting from my cell phone, computer, and, especially, email. I am looking forward to meditating not on work but on my next step along the journey.  

I must confess I am also anxious about the trip. Am I fit enough to climb up the mountains of the Pyrenees the first day? Have I saved enough for the hostels and food along the Way? Do I have the discipline to walk 10-15 miles a day for 30-35 days? All of these are questions my head asks.  

My heart, however, is fully embracing the prospect of the experience. After all, isn’t that what faith is all about? Embracing the unknown with abandon and making that leap of faith over the chasm of doubt. Every time I preach, I ask congregants to do just that: Have faith not to replace doubt but to leap over it. I should do no less.  

There is a story that when the founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley, faced doubts about his own convictions, he was told by a colleague: “Preach faith until you have faith, and when you have faith, preach faith.”  

I like that. It reminds me that doubts are all right, that they are a part of the faith experience. I need to remember that for all of my practical doubts, God will be with me along the way.  

After all, this isn’t a trip just of the head; it’s a trip of the heart as well. Wishing all of you a “Buen Camino,” or good journey.

Rev. Paul Fleck, Executive Director of Immigration Law & Justice New York, is an ordained Elder in The New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church and a former litigation attorney. Prior to coming to Immigration Law & Justice New York, Rev. Fleck served as Pastor of New Milford United Methodist and Hamden Plains United Methodist Churches in Connecticut. While at Hamden Plains UMC, Rev. Fleck helped co-found New Sanctuary CT, a coalition of eleven faith communities throughout Connecticut committed to providing physical sanctuary to immigrants facing deportation. Rev. Fleck has his Master’s of Divinity from Yale Divinity School and J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law.