In this episode, Simon, a young Italian, speaks about his desire to encounter himself on the Camino Frances. Simon suggests walking without distractions--no music, no conversations--just the sound of your feet on the path and the thoughts in your head. I enjoyed speaking with Simon, and I think you will enjoy his youthful enthusiasm and idealism. Buen Camino!

In this fourth episode of season two, I interview Claude from Paris, France. She explains how she was told that her Camino family would consist of the people with whom she began her journey--she would see them all along the way: in albergues, in bars, in restaurants and on the road as she traveled toward Santiago. This is exactly how Claude experienced the coming together of her Camino family. Have a listen and meet Claude on her way across Spain--she has insights to share not only about the ...

This past August, I spent the first night of my tenth pilgrimage in Hornillos del Camino. I met Julie, a twenty-three-year-old pilgrim from Denmark, who was on her second Camino traveling from Burgos to Santiago. Two years previous, she had walked the first part of the Camino Frances from St. Jean Pied de Port to Burgos. Have a listen as she tells me why she was walking The Way of Saint James. Buen Camino!

In this episode, Father John Baptist and Father Jerome, two Dominican Friars from the Province of Saint Joseph in the United States, share their expectations of the road before we actually begin our trek across the Meseta. The interview was conducted in an albergue in Burgos on August 5th. Our conversation is filled with the excitement and the uncertainties commonly faced by most pilgrims venturing out on their first Camino. Have a listen and enjoy!

This is the first episode of volume two of the podcast. In this episode, my wife, Karen, helps me to debrief after my tenth Camino, a walk of two hundred miles that included the Meseta-my favorite section of the Camino Frances. This was by far the most intense pilgrimage of the ten that I've walked--probably because I'm getting older and the joints are a bit more worn than in the past. My wife asks some good questions that help me reflect on another Camino. I hope you enjoy listening. Buen Ca...

Jack Hitt's 1991 account of his Camino journey is a tale filled with quirky yet unforgettable characters. Hitt leaves a New York editing career to venture across Spain for a second time; his first pilgrimage was in 1981 after graduating from college. The book was later used by actor/writer/director Emilio Estevez for the movie The Way -- one of my all time favorites. I recommend Off The Road, especially coupled with the film, The Way for all Camino enthusiasts.

In this episode, a fellow Rhode Island pilgrim, James O'Connor, shares insights from his pilgrimage on the Frances in 2012 and his travels on the Portuguese Camino in 2024. His passion for the outdoors and his enthusiasm for his fellow pilgrim is at the heart of this interview. Have a listen.

In this episode, my wife Karen and I work through a packing list identifying what we deem necessary for the pilgrimage. Are most of these items essential? If I had to listen to only one podcast before leaving for the Camino, it would be "The Packing List."

In this episode, my wife Karen and I discuss a daily approach to walking the Camino along with an approach to spending money on the road. Your pace is a very important aspect of the pilgrimage and should be considered before you take your first step. And of course you should consider a basic budget that can act as a guide for your spending on your walk to Santiago.

In this episode, my pastor, Father Stephen Battey, speaks about the Jubilee Year, and how we are to make sense of it. He touches on the essence of pilgrimage and how a pilgrim can approach the trek. His insights are invaluable. Have a listen, and God bless you!

  Hello, and welcome to another episode of These Holy Bones, a podcast about the ancient pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago, where the bones of St. James are interred beneath the high altar. I'm your host, Robert Nerny, and on today's episode, I would like to do a book review on Kevin Codd's book entitled To the Field of Stars. A Pilgrim's Journey to Santiago de Compostela. This was written in 2008, published by Erdmann's. It's about 270 pages. And it's a brill I think it's a bril...

This episode is devoted to the pack on your back. My wife, Karen, speaks about her packing experiences with specific recommendations on what to take and what to leave home. What you carry in your pack while on the Camino is an essential part of the pilgrimage. Don't underestimate this aspect of your preparation.

In this episode, I go into some detail about how my wife and I ended up on the Camino de Santiago back during the summer of 2015 and how our pilgrimage was affirmed by a sign from God--no kidding! Well, at least that's my interpretation of the events. Like Jack Stanton in the movie The Way, I truly believe that no one does the Camino by accident--no one.

In this episode I interview Adam and Gareth from New Zealand who talk about their night hike on the Meseta. The hike was illuminated by the grandeur of a blood-red moon. The two pilgrims completed the hike but not before dealing with the early morning cold without tents or blankets. Adam and Gareth are a delight to listen to as they share their adventures on the Camino de Santiago.

In this episode, Erik, a pilgrim from Kalamazoo, Michigan, speaks about the unexpected physical challenges of the pilgrimage. He also qualifies the trek as more of an interior journey rather than an exterior jaunt across northern Spain. Finally, he shares his love of the Spanish countryside with details about the flora and fauna encountered along the road.

In this episode, I take some time to answer questions that my wife, Karen, has sent to me. It is the morning of July 23rd, and I am sitting in front of the majestic Leon Cathedral having my second Cappuccino of the day (I should really stick to one-a-day). It's the third week of the pilgrimage--the perfect time to stop and reflect on the journey thus far.

In this third episode of These Holy Bones, Julio, a pilgrim from Mexico, explains his reasons for walking the Camino Frances. He also tells of his encounter with Diego, a Spanish pilgrim, who has walked the Camino several times but never for himself--always as a sacrifice for others. Diego's generous actions have a profound impact on how Julio understands the Camino as he continues his pilgrimage to Santiago.

In this episode of These Holy Bones, I speak with Joseph, the owner of the albergue Beilari. He talks in his gentle manner about how he came to purchase the albergue and what hospitality means to him.