Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain has been a pilgrimage destination since the discovery of the tomb of St James (the Apostle James the Greater) in the 9th century. The number of pilgrims has waxed and waned over the centuries with a resurgence in recent times.
Pilgrimage can be a life-changing experience and many wish to find a way to give thanks for the many positives they gained from the Camino. One of the ways in which they can do that is to volunteer as a hospitalero i.e. a person who cares for pilgrims in a pilgrim shelter.
Listening is an extremely important skill in the hospitalero armoury as, at times, pilgrims have need of talking about their experiences to someone who understands what they are going through. Thus the requirement that hospitalero training is only available to those who have been pilgrims.
Working as a hospitalero is not a holiday! It can be hard work. As well as the pleasure of providing a warm welcome to pilgrims, the tasks may include providing breakfast, supplying first aid equipment (we don't provide first aid itself), washing floors and cleaning showers and toilets on a daily basis, washing sheets, providing advice on the trail ahead and liaising with the local people. In some albergues (pilgrim refuges), the hospitalero is also required to organise an evening meal and/or a short prayer service.
Fortunately, we are aided in the preparation for this role by training provided on behalf of the Hospitaleros Voluntarios (Hos Vol) section of the Federación Española de Asociaciones de Amigos del Camino de Santiago (Spanish Federation of Association of Friends of the Camino of Santiago) which supplies hospitaleros to donativo (payment is by donation) albergues. Their approved training is available in many countries including Australia.
The normal length of hospitalero service is 15 days, either the first or second half of each month. Note however that you need to be in place the day before your duty starts in order to do a handover from the hospitalero immediately preceding you and you leave after breakfast of the morning after your duty finishes.
Dates for upcoming training sessions in Australia with links to registration forms are on the Training page or use the Contact form to seek further information.
Pilgrimage can be a life-changing experience and many wish to find a way to give thanks for the many positives they gained from the Camino. One of the ways in which they can do that is to volunteer as a hospitalero i.e. a person who cares for pilgrims in a pilgrim shelter.
Listening is an extremely important skill in the hospitalero armoury as, at times, pilgrims have need of talking about their experiences to someone who understands what they are going through. Thus the requirement that hospitalero training is only available to those who have been pilgrims.
Working as a hospitalero is not a holiday! It can be hard work. As well as the pleasure of providing a warm welcome to pilgrims, the tasks may include providing breakfast, supplying first aid equipment (we don't provide first aid itself), washing floors and cleaning showers and toilets on a daily basis, washing sheets, providing advice on the trail ahead and liaising with the local people. In some albergues (pilgrim refuges), the hospitalero is also required to organise an evening meal and/or a short prayer service.
Fortunately, we are aided in the preparation for this role by training provided on behalf of the Hospitaleros Voluntarios (Hos Vol) section of the Federación Española de Asociaciones de Amigos del Camino de Santiago (Spanish Federation of Association of Friends of the Camino of Santiago) which supplies hospitaleros to donativo (payment is by donation) albergues. Their approved training is available in many countries including Australia.
The normal length of hospitalero service is 15 days, either the first or second half of each month. Note however that you need to be in place the day before your duty starts in order to do a handover from the hospitalero immediately preceding you and you leave after breakfast of the morning after your duty finishes.
Dates for upcoming training sessions in Australia with links to registration forms are on the Training page or use the Contact form to seek further information.