The Compostelan Holy Year
WHAT IS THE COMPOSTELAN JUBILEE?
The Jubilee is a Plenary Indulgence that allows us to atone or cleanse our sins. Santiago de Compostela is one of the five Holy Cities of Christianity; the others are Rome, Jerusalem, Santo Toribio de Liébana and Caravaca de la Cruz (the latter two also in Spain). Additionally, there are other important pilgrimage sites such as Fatima or Lourdes, but they do not offer a Jubilee.
The Compostela Jubilee is celebrated in the years in which the date of commemoration of the Martyrdom of Santiago or Day of the Apostle (which is the local festivity, July 25th), falls on a Sunday. In these cases, such a year is called the Holy Year, the Jubilee Year or the Jacobean Year (Jacobeo / Xacobeo), and has a periodicity of every 11, 6, 5 and 6 years. During these Jubilee years, the Holy Door of the Cathedral of Santiago remains open (it is otherwise closed all year round, in the past even walled up).
2021 is a Holy Year and, due to the current situation of pandemic, the Authorities have exceptionally extended the Jubilee period until 2022. This extension will make this Holy Year 2021-2022 the longest Jubilee period in recent history. The last Holy Years were celebrated in 2010 and 2004, and the next ones would correspond in 2027 and 2032.
HISTORY OF THE JUBILEE AND HOLY YEAR COMPOSTELANO OR "XACOBEO"
As for the history of the Jubilee, it dates back to 1,122 AD, when Pope Callisto II granted the Plenary Jubilee of the Holy Year, and in the year 1,179 AD Alexander III declared perpetual the Jubilee as a Plenary Indulgence. The spirit of the Jubilee itself dates back to the Old Testament, when it was celebrated every 50 years. It was not really an atonement for sins, but an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty over all people and goods.
HOW DO YOU WIN THE JUBILEE?
To earn the Compostela Jubilee, you must visit the Cathedral of Santiago and recite a prayer for the Pope's intentions (it is advisable to attend Holy Mass), as well as receive the Sacraments of Confession (15 days before or after) and Holy Communion.
In case of illness during the Camino or Trail of St. James, when you reach the Church of Santiago in Villafranca del Bierzo you are awarded the Jubilee. From Villafranca you enter the “Valcarce Valley”, where the Camino is called "Camino del Perdón" (Way of Exoneration or Forgiveness).
THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO OR TRAIL OF ST. JAMES
The "Compostelana" is the credential for the pilgrim or walker who makes 100 km of the “Camino de Santiago” or Trail of St. James on foot or 200 km on horseback or by bicycle, whether on a Jubilee or ordinary Year.
Nowadays, the “Camino de Santiago” or Trail of St. James has gained popularity, even outside the so-called Holy Years, and it is walked by pilgrims (typically guided by Faith and a series of promises and / or requests) as well as tourists and hiking enthusiasts alike, who may have cultural, tourist or sports motivations.
There are several Caminos or routes to Santiago, but the oldest, most traditional route, is that of the “French Camino”. This walk starts in Saint Jean Pied de Port or Roncesvalles in Southern France (although in recent years, other starting points have also gained popularity), crosses the Pyrenees and goes across the Northern interior of the Iberian Peninsula, via the regions of Aragon, La Rioja and Castille Leon, before entering Galicia.
In the French Camino, the last 100 km are the route starting from Sarria, meaning that the Sarria - Santiago stretch is one of, if not the most often walked stretch. A standard pace of 20-25 km a day means a 4 or 5 day walk from Sarria to Santiago to earn the Compostelana, and the typical stops are, after Sarria, Portomarín, Palas de Reis, Arzúa, O Pedrouzo and finally Santiago, although stops may vary.
Being located in Arzúa, Pazo de Brandeso represents a great accommodation alternative, not just for the Arzúa stage, but even for the entire Sarria - Santiago stretch.
We organise lifts from the Camino and to where pilgrims left off the day before for a more comfortable Camino. This will mean no packing/unpacking, checking in and out everyday, or having to carry a rucksack. Additionally, Pazo de Brandeso offers a variety of ways to relax and unwind after a long day’s walk, including a large pool open in the summer months.
One-night stays and traditional accommodation alternatives are of course also an option, and guests are offered a free pick-up service to/from Arzúa.
The Jubilee is a Plenary Indulgence that allows us to atone or cleanse our sins. Santiago de Compostela is one of the five Holy Cities of Christianity; the others are Rome, Jerusalem, Santo Toribio de Liébana and Caravaca de la Cruz (the latter two also in Spain). Additionally, there are other important pilgrimage sites such as Fatima or Lourdes, but they do not offer a Jubilee.
The Compostela Jubilee is celebrated in the years in which the date of commemoration of the Martyrdom of Santiago or Day of the Apostle (which is the local festivity, July 25th), falls on a Sunday. In these cases, such a year is called the Holy Year, the Jubilee Year or the Jacobean Year (Jacobeo / Xacobeo), and has a periodicity of every 11, 6, 5 and 6 years. During these Jubilee years, the Holy Door of the Cathedral of Santiago remains open (it is otherwise closed all year round, in the past even walled up).
2021 is a Holy Year and, due to the current situation of pandemic, the Authorities have exceptionally extended the Jubilee period until 2022. This extension will make this Holy Year 2021-2022 the longest Jubilee period in recent history. The last Holy Years were celebrated in 2010 and 2004, and the next ones would correspond in 2027 and 2032.
HISTORY OF THE JUBILEE AND HOLY YEAR COMPOSTELANO OR "XACOBEO"
As for the history of the Jubilee, it dates back to 1,122 AD, when Pope Callisto II granted the Plenary Jubilee of the Holy Year, and in the year 1,179 AD Alexander III declared perpetual the Jubilee as a Plenary Indulgence. The spirit of the Jubilee itself dates back to the Old Testament, when it was celebrated every 50 years. It was not really an atonement for sins, but an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty over all people and goods.
HOW DO YOU WIN THE JUBILEE?
To earn the Compostela Jubilee, you must visit the Cathedral of Santiago and recite a prayer for the Pope's intentions (it is advisable to attend Holy Mass), as well as receive the Sacraments of Confession (15 days before or after) and Holy Communion.
In case of illness during the Camino or Trail of St. James, when you reach the Church of Santiago in Villafranca del Bierzo you are awarded the Jubilee. From Villafranca you enter the “Valcarce Valley”, where the Camino is called "Camino del Perdón" (Way of Exoneration or Forgiveness).
THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO OR TRAIL OF ST. JAMES
The "Compostelana" is the credential for the pilgrim or walker who makes 100 km of the “Camino de Santiago” or Trail of St. James on foot or 200 km on horseback or by bicycle, whether on a Jubilee or ordinary Year.
Nowadays, the “Camino de Santiago” or Trail of St. James has gained popularity, even outside the so-called Holy Years, and it is walked by pilgrims (typically guided by Faith and a series of promises and / or requests) as well as tourists and hiking enthusiasts alike, who may have cultural, tourist or sports motivations.
There are several Caminos or routes to Santiago, but the oldest, most traditional route, is that of the “French Camino”. This walk starts in Saint Jean Pied de Port or Roncesvalles in Southern France (although in recent years, other starting points have also gained popularity), crosses the Pyrenees and goes across the Northern interior of the Iberian Peninsula, via the regions of Aragon, La Rioja and Castille Leon, before entering Galicia.
In the French Camino, the last 100 km are the route starting from Sarria, meaning that the Sarria - Santiago stretch is one of, if not the most often walked stretch. A standard pace of 20-25 km a day means a 4 or 5 day walk from Sarria to Santiago to earn the Compostelana, and the typical stops are, after Sarria, Portomarín, Palas de Reis, Arzúa, O Pedrouzo and finally Santiago, although stops may vary.
Being located in Arzúa, Pazo de Brandeso represents a great accommodation alternative, not just for the Arzúa stage, but even for the entire Sarria - Santiago stretch.
We organise lifts from the Camino and to where pilgrims left off the day before for a more comfortable Camino. This will mean no packing/unpacking, checking in and out everyday, or having to carry a rucksack. Additionally, Pazo de Brandeso offers a variety of ways to relax and unwind after a long day’s walk, including a large pool open in the summer months.
One-night stays and traditional accommodation alternatives are of course also an option, and guests are offered a free pick-up service to/from Arzúa.
