As I continue preparing for the Camino, I’ve been thinking a lot about pace.
Not speed.
Not performance.
But something deeper.
Because I’m learning that when you walk slowly — on purpose — something sacred begins to happen.
Letting the Walk Become Prayer
We often think of prayer as something we do with words.
A posture. A time of day. A certain kind of quiet.
But walking — especially walking slowly — can become prayer too.
With each step, the rhythm of the body begins to still the mind.
The noise quiets.
The heart opens.
You begin to notice again — what’s around you, what’s within you, and what God might be whispering.
It’s not about arriving.
It’s about being present.
Slowness is Not a Flaw—It’s a Gift
In a world that moves at breakneck speed, slowness can feel like failure.
But on the Camino, slowness is how we listen.
It’s how we learn to pray with our feet.
And it’s often how we discover we’re not walking alone.
The road becomes a companion.
The silence becomes a conversation.
And the Spirit? She’s never far.
Walking with Intention, Not Urgency
As I prepare for the Camino, I’m resisting the urge to treat it like a race or a checklist.
I want to walk slowly enough to:
- Greet those I pass with kindness
- Pause to notice birdsong or bell towers
- Say a prayer for someone I’m carrying in my heart
- And perhaps most importantly—let God catch up with me
The Invitation
Wherever you are — whether it’s a forest trail, a city sidewalk, or a kitchen floor — try walking slowly for a few minutes today.
Let it be a prayer.
No agenda. No hurry.
Just presence.
Because God walks slowly, too.
And sometimes the holiest thing we can do is… just slow down enough to notice.
Thank you for sharing the journey with me.
Buen Camino,
Fr. Don+
A Prayer for Walking Slowly
God of still places and gentle paths,
teach me to walk slowly today.
Not to fall behind,
but to fall in step
with the rhythm of your grace.
Help me notice what I would rush past.
Let me hear the quiet things —
the bird call, the breath, the voice within.
In my walking,
make space for gratitude.
In each step,
make room for prayer.
And in every pause,
let me meet you again.
You never hurry, Lord.
So help me not to miss you
in my own haste.
Amen.
“The Slow Walk”
Set aside 10–15 minutes for a short, deliberate walk — whether in your neighbourhood, a park, or even indoors.
- Before you begin, take a deep breath and invite God into the walk.
- As you walk, slow your pace intentionally. Walk just a bit slower than feels “normal.”
- Don’t try to think about anything. Just notice:
- What do you hear?
- What do you see that you might otherwise miss?
- What sensations arise in your body?
- If a person or prayer comes to mind, offer it quietly.
- At the end, pause. Take one more breath. And offer thanks—for the path, the breath, and the time.
Try this once a week or any time you feel the urge to rush through your day.