As I near the beginning of my Camino pilgrimage, something unexpected has been happening.
I find myself thinking less about what I still need to bring—
and more about what I’m finally ready to leave behind.
Packing for a pilgrimage isn’t just about shirts and socks and a rain cover.
It’s about letting go.
Letting go of the clutter I’ve held onto,
the fears I’ve carried longer than I meant to,
the expectations I’ve placed on myself that have quietly become burdens.
Empty Hands, Open Heart
The Camino isn’t walked best by those who carry the most.
It’s walked by those who know how to travel light.
Not just in pack weight—but in spirit.
Jesus sent out his disciples with nothing but trust and each other.
No extra baggage.
No backup plan.
Just the road… and the promise that God would meet them in the going.
And I believe the same is true for this journey.
What I’m Letting Go Of
I’m letting go of the pressure to do the Camino perfectly.
I’m letting go of the worry that I haven’t trained enough.
I’m letting go of the noise that tells me I need to earn this time with God.
And in its place, I’m choosing to carry:
- Openness
- Gratitude
- And just enough courage to say “yes” to whatever the road brings
The Invitation
Wherever you are—preparing for pilgrimage, walking your own daily journey, or just longing for peace—ask yourself:
What am I carrying that no longer needs to come with me?
And…
What might God want to place in my hands instead?
Prayer for Release and Readiness
Gracious God,
You are the One who calls me to walk in freedom.
Today, I let go of what weighs me down:
old fears, loud doubts, anxious striving,
the pressure to be perfect, the fear of not being enough.
I open my hands in trust.
Make me light enough to walk with joy,
empty enough to receive your grace,
and brave enough to say yes to the journey ahead.
Prepare me, not just to arrive —
but to walk in peace,
one sacred step at a time.
Amen.
Buen Camino,
Fr. Don+