As the beginning of the Camino gets closer, I find myself noticing all the little things I haven’t done.
There are miles I meant to walk.
Books I planned to read.
Gear I’m still unsure about.
Spiritual questions I hoped would be more… resolved.
But here’s the thing: life rarely waits for everything to be tidy.
And neither does pilgrimage.
We’re invited to walk anyway.
Pilgrimage Doesn’t Require Perfection
There’s something beautifully human about beginning a holy journey before everything is figured out.
Think of Abraham, who followed God without a map.
Think of the disciples, who said yes to Jesus without a résumé.
Think of saints and pilgrims across generations—walking not because they were ready, but because they were willing.
The Camino does not ask for perfection.
It asks for presence.
Unfinished, but Already Enough
What if being unfinished isn’t a failure?
What if it’s actually faithfulness?
To walk while still healing.
To begin while still questioning.
To trust while still unsure.
We don’t walk the Camino because we have everything sorted.
We walk because God meets us along the way.
The Invitation
If you’re preparing for a journey—whether physical, spiritual, or emotional—and you feel unready, remember this:
God works with unfinished people.
Always has.
Still does.
Just start walking.
A Prayer for Beginning Before You’re Ready
Holy God,
You are the One who called the disciples
while their nets were still wet,
and Abraham before he knew the road.
Call me too—
not because I am ready,
but because You are faithful.
Meet me in my questions,
my half-packed bag,
my good intentions and quiet fears.
Bless my imperfect preparation.
Make space for grace in what’s missing.
And walk beside me
as I begin, unfinished but willing.
Amen.
Thanks for journeying with me.
Buen Camino,
Fr. Don+