St. Marks Parishioner Embarks on Special Pilgrimage

A parishioner of St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Marco Island, Ellen van Nagell, is about to set off on a special pilgrimage which will take her on what is called “The Way of Saint James.” Her journey will lead her from Porto, Portugal to Galicia, Spain. It is here upon the grounds where the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela was erected that tradition holds the remains of the Apostle Saint James the Great, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.

There are many routes to the Cathedral in Galicia, Spain throughout Europe, and this one from Porto, Portugal is but one of those. Nagell said that the distance from Porto to Galicia is approximately 62 miles, and those walking it will do approximately eight to ten miles a day. Throughout this pilgrimage, their passage will be documented at various points. They will carry “passports” to be stamped at various intervals. Many still follow these various routes as a form of a spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth. It is also popular with hikers, cyclers, and organized tour groups.

The Cathedral in Porto, Portugal will serve as Ms. Nagell’s departure point as she works her way along the sixty-plus miles of hiking northerly. She has established a walking routine on Marco Island and accomplishes five to ten miles a day walking around the island. She jokingly explains that she has gone through at least one pair of special shoes since she began her training but will be breaking into two more pairs before leaving. 

Nagell is no stranger to hiking, as she has hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. She and her husband also made the Holy Land Pilgrimage a year ago throughout Israel with two priests as they hiked through the many Holy sites in Israel.

A wonderful friend, author and priest became the motivator for her to take on this latest endeavor, which she will join with a total of ten other pilgrims making this special journey. At noon each day a special Mass will be performed at the Cathedral for those pilgrims who have completed their journey, and Ms. Nagell says she’ll look forward to the culmination of their passage and the enlightenment that should bring. 

Ms. Nagell will spend twelve days on this adventure and will be traveling from RSW to NYC where she and her other pilgrims will fly to Porto, Portugal to begin their pilgrimage. She will keep a journal and share her adventure with the Coastal Breeze News upon her return.

Safe travels Ellen from all of us here on Marco Island!