Friends of the Way, Malta

Published Categorised as Friends of the Way, Malta

XirCammini is proud to announce its corroboration with the Associations of Friends of the Way of St. James, joining the ranks of over 150 Camino associations emanating from all 5 continents and committed to servicing the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.

You can find us by typing in Malta on the directory of the Association of the Friends of the Way:

https://www.caminodesantiago.gal/en/discover/associations-of-the-way/directory-of-associations

The Associations of the Friends of the Way of St. James know their beginning in 1950. It was first founded in Paris by a group of historians of art, archivists and specialists in medieval literature; all eager to propagate the long history of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, its manifestations and the role it had played in the evolution of Europe.

The 1950 association in France was followed by a second, ion 1962, in Estrella and little by little, it continued to grow into a global force spread across all continents with the ultimate objective of and assisting pilgrims on the Camino.

The I International Congress of Associations of Friends of the Way of Saint James took place in Spain in 1987. Also in 1987, the Council of Europe in Strasbourg granted the badge of the First European Cultural Itinerary to the Way of Saint James, giving more meaning and impetus to the Associations of the Friends of the Way of St. James.

The earliest work of the Associations was the study and signposting of the Jacobean itineraries, together with the creation and administration of hostels and assistance of pilgrims. Other recurrent objectives include disseminating the historical and artistic features of the Jacobean pilgrimages.

The Associations also organise activities for their members: periodical meetings, walks, fraternal meals, information bulletins, the celebration of July 25 and, sometimes, purely cultural activities. All of these function based on volunteer work.

The over-riding priority of the Associations today is to attend to the pilgrims, providing them with the credential, information and assistance.

Read more about the Associations here: https://www.caminodesantiago.gal/en/discover/associations-of-the-way/associatons-of-friends-of-the-way