You can edit almost every page by Creating an account. Otherwise, see the FAQ.

California Mission Walkers

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki

There is a long tradition of Christian Pilgrimages, including the Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James), Via Francigena, and the Holy Land. The California Mission Walkers, a group established in 2013, is working to establish a pilgrimage route along the El Camino Real, the route connecting the 21 Spanish missions in California. Bus pilgrimages along the mission route have already been organized.[1], but the focus of the California Mission Walkers is on walking or bicycling the 800 mile route.

The California Mission Walkers have adopted Saint Junípero Serra's motto, "Siempre Adelante!" (Always Forward!)

Motivation[edit]

There are many reasons for walking the mission trail, including spiritual or religious pilgrimages, interest in the history or early California, an appreciate for California's beauty, or simply for the challenge[2]. Many of the California Mission Walkers are inspired by Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, which is seen as a model for the development of the California mission trail[3][4]. One walker, Edie Littlefield Sundby, began her journey to counter the adverse side effects of treatment for stage 4 gallbladder cancer[5]. Sundby's journey is chronicled in her book, "The Mission Walker[6]."

In order to commemorate their achievements, many mission walkers carry a mission passport, which can be stamped at each mission they visit. The missions recognize the value of the mission pilgrimage by having stamps available when walkers visit.

Walking the Mission Trail[edit]

Most of the dirt roads travelled by the Spanish Friars have been paved over. The original route formed the basis of many of California's major roads and highways. The California Mission Walkers have established a safe, walkable route that follows, as closely as possible, the original trail; there are even a few remaining dirt paths. The route has been published in a book, "California Mission Walk: The Original Hiker's Guide To California's 21 Spanish Missions Along El Camino Real," written by one of the group's founding members, Ron "Butch" Briery [7]. The missions today no longer host pilgrims, and camping is discouraged on California's roads and highways, so mission walkers today generally stay in motels at the end of each day's walk... a luxury that would have been unimaginable in the mission era.

While some walkers travel the entire route in a single journey, many walk a few segments at a time, sometimes taking years to complete the entire journey[3]. Franciscan Friar Brother Anthony Serviam Maria wanted a deeper connection with the faith that he teaches; he walked the entire route over 50 days[8]. His journey was chronicled on the California Mission Walkers Facebook page[9]. Travel writer Maggie Espinosa, who chronicled her journey online, walked 4 days each month for a year, covering an average of 75 miles at each stretch[10]. Her journey was inspired by Ron Briery's original guidebook[7][11]

Experienced walkers, such as Briery, often lead others along segments of the mission trail[12]. Invitations are posted on the group's Facebook page.[9]

References[edit]

  1. Binz, Stephen J. (2017). Saint Junipero Serra's Camino. Franciscan Media. p. 7. ISBN 978-1632531285. Search this book on
  2. https://missionwalk.org/about-us/
  3. 3.0 3.1 Robert Nicholson (June 11, 2015). "Walking the California Mission Trail". California Mission Guide.
  4. Hannah Guzik (October 31, 2012). "Ventura resident journeys on foot to visit all California missions". Ventura County Star.
  5. Edie Littlefield Sundby (July 18, 2013). "Walking 800 Miles Away From Cancer". The New York Times.
  6. Sundby, Edie Littlefield (2017). The Mission Walker. Thomas Nelson. ISBN 978-0718093501. Search this book on
  7. 7.0 7.1 Briery, Ron (2015). California Mission Walk: The Original Hiker's Guide To California's 21 Spanish Missions Along El Camino Real. Peregrino Publishing. ASIN B00WJ5J0OQ. Search this book on
  8. Christian Clifford (December 13, 2017). "Following in the Footsteps of Saint Junípero Serra". Catholic Exchange.
  9. 9.0 9.1 https://www.facebook.com/groups/californiamissionwalkers/
  10. Maggie Espinosa (January 3, 2015). "On a mission". San Diego Union Tribune.
  11. Maggie Espinosa (April 2, 2015). "Hiking California's El Camino Real". San Jose Mercury News.
  12. Tonya Strickland (February 22, 2012). "A new mission for mission hiker". San Luis Obispo Tribune.


This article "California Mission Walkers" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:California Mission Walkers. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.