Priest to walk in Europe for peace, Aquino's success

A Mindanao-based priest will go on a walk for peace and success on the 780-kilometer Camino de Santiago de Compostela that traditionally starts in France. Fr. Amado Picardal, a Redemptorist from Davao City, said Saturday that he would be offering prayers for peace to end the strife with Muslim secessionists and communist rebels, especially in Mindanao, and for the success of President Benigno Aquino III’s administration. The walk for peace is part of a pilgrimage to France for a final peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the communist National Democratic Front. Picardal he would also focus on the Aquino administration so that President Aquino would be able to lead the Filipino people in transforming the Philippine society by getting rid of corruption and fostering lasting peace, justice, and progress. The priest will spend a few days in Spain before heading for France to embark on a "mobile spiritual retreat" on July 16. Picardal explains that the retreat involves meditation, reflection, and prayer. "It will also be accompanied by penitential acts (barefoot walking/running and fasting during the day, sleeping under the stars at night most of the time)," according to him in a statement. Picardal will take a train from Madrid to St. Jean Pied de Port in France where he will begin his running and walking pilgrimage. Camino de Santiago or The Way of St. James is a series of old pilgrimage routes in Europe, that religious pilgrims have been taking for more than 1000 years. The Camino route or Camino Frances traditionally starts in St. Jean Pier de Port and ends in Santiago de Compostela through Northern Spain. "As much as possible, I will cover the 800-km route barefoot, like St. Francis and many other medieval pilgrims," he said. "So, I will wear my sandals when the road gets too harsh or hot. I will be doing some running and also lots of walking breaks. The primary goal is reaching my destination on foot in 26 days and at the same time journeying inward," he added. —Carmela G. Lapeña/VS,GMANews.TV