Discover Spain and Portugal on the Portuguese Camino Luther College Alumni and Friends Walking Tour July 10–24, 2013 • Hosted by Luisa and Peter Forsgren ’82
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even more popular after the country gained its One of the hallmarks of the pilgrimage to Presorted HISTORY OF THE WAY independence in the mid 12th century. From Santiago is the warm reception pilgrims receive. First Class Mail that time on, the veneration of Saint James and This practice was started in the Middle Ages by U.S. Postage Paid OF SAINT JAMES Rochester, MN the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, con- the monks and clergymen serving the hospitals Permit No. 289 PILGRIMAGE sidered to be one of the hallmarks of identity founded by the monarchs and the nobility. This of European culture, had far reaching effects in welcoming lay tradition is kept alive today by Office of Alumni Relations The legend that Saint James found his way to Lusitanian lands. For centuries, the Portuguese the inhabitants of the towns scattered along the Luther College the Iberian Peninsula and preached there is one people participated enthusiastically in this Way and the pilgrims’ hostels. The inhabitants 700 College Drive of a number of early traditions concerning the collective experience, and they had the good of the area around the Portuguese Way feel a Decorah, IA 52101-1043 missionary activities and final resting places of fortune to be consistently supported by the special devotion to Saint James and offer en- Address Service Requested the apostles of Jesus. Although the 1884 Bull of example of monarchs, members of the nobility couragement to those traveling to Compostela Pope Leo XIII Omnipotens Deus accepted the and the high clergy. From the 12th century up on the old paths that make up this pilgrimage authenticity of the relics at Compostela, the until today, much of Portugal’s road network has route. Vatican remains uncommitted as to whether seen the comings and goings of pilgrims heading The route Via XIX, a direct descendent of the the relics are those of Saint James the Great, from towns and cities all over the country—Lis- major Roman roads that formed the backbone while continuing to promote the more general bon, Santarem, Coimbra, Porto, Braga, Chaves— of the Roman Gallaecia and continued to be in benefits of a pilgrimage to the site. to their goal of Santiago de Compostela. Their use for many centuries. Built in the first century According to a tradition (which cannot be motives were strictly religious, yet thanks to A.D. under the Emperor Augustus, it was known traced before the 12th century), the relics were this steady flow of movement between Portugal in classical works as the Itinerary of Antonino, said to have been discovered in 814 by The- and Galicia, cultural, economic, and intellectual established at the beginning of the third cen- odomir, bishop of Aria Flavia in the far north- exchange has also flourished. tury A.D. during Caracalla’s time. This ancient west of the principality of Asturias. Theodomir The Portuguese Way in Galicia is the result testimony is proof of the vitality of this via from was guided to the spot by a star, the legend of a combination of historical factors: bridges, very early times. Since the Middle Ages, the claims, and drawing upon a familiar myth country chapels, sanctuaries, wayside crosses, Portuguese Way has maintained the tradition of element, the area was named Compostela—a manor houses, and historic cities dot the route exchange between neighbors that began during corruption of Campus Stellae, “Plain of Stars.” that starts on the banks of the Minho river in the days of the Roman Empire. The 1,000-year-old pilgrimage to the shrine the city of Tui, and ends at the tomb of Saint Despite its unquestionable historical back- of St. James in the Cathedral of Santiago de James. The Portuguese Way in Galicia is rich in ground, modern road networks have affected Compostela is known in English as the Way cultural heritage, which extends beyond archi- the Portuguese Way. At times, the pilgrims of St. James and in Galician as the Camiño de tecture and museums to become a privileged must forget the dirt paths and stone-paved Santiago. More than 100,000 pilgrims travel to route with some of Galicia’s finest examples of ways to walk along the verge of the N-550 road the city each year from points all over Europe art. between Vigo and A Coruna. The road follows and other parts of the world. The pilgrimage is The Portuguese Way gently winds northward, the Portuguese Way to Santiago, something of the subject of the 2010 movie The Way, starring along ancient tracks and paths run through a drawback for those seeking to recapture the Martin Sheen. woodlands, farmlands, villages, towns, and his- essence of the original pilgrims’ way. However, toric cities. Paths cross courses of water flowing these discomforts are fleeting, and are fully THE CAMINO under bridges—some of Roman origin—of un- compensated for when the pilgrim finishes PORTUGUÉS mistakable medieval construction. The route is the different legs of the journey on this route enriched by the presence of chapels, churches, of devotion, art, and culture, which offers an (Portuguese Way) convents, petos de animas—stone altars usually undisputed wealth of monumental and natural found at crossroads —and cruceiros (wayside heritage. Although the pilgrimage from Portugal to crosses), where the comforting image of San- Santiago is assumed to have already been in tiago the Pilgrim is ever-present, to accompany existence in the Late Middle Ages, it became and hearten the pilgrim on his journey. Discover Spain and Portugal on the Portuguese Camino Luther College Alumni and Friends Walking Tour July 10–24, 2013 • Hosted by Luisa and Peter Forsgren ’82 Portuguese Camino Most of the trail follows the original Roman road XIX. We will pass the Roman mile stones milarios on the ancient way.and will cross Roman bridges built over 2000 years ago. The legend of the “Field of Stars“ Compostela was born just in time for the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula. Join Friends and Alumni of Luther College in 2013 Hosted bY Luisa AND PETER Forsgren • Bom Jesus Do you have extra time and flexibility? Luisa and Peter Forsgren invite you to discover • Coimbra University Campus walking tour Perhaps you would like to choose a round-trip Luther College Portuguese Camino Adventure Iberia by foot on the Luther College Portuguese • Quinta das Lágrimas flight into and out of Lisbon. After the Camino, Camino Adventure 2013. This classic Portuguese • Porto walking tour travel by train or low-cost flight from Porto back Registration Form Camino to Santiago will allow you to explore the • Porto’s Stock Exchange Palace to Lisbon with perhaps an additional overnight Important: A valid passport is required for travel on this trip. heart of the Iberian culture and beauty. • Porto boat ride on the River Douro before heading home. We invite you to join Luisa and Peter Forsgren ’82 on this Portuguese Camino walking adventure to Camino July 10–24, 2013. Peter Forsgren ’82 was born in Mussoorie, • Port wine tasting Porto has good connections throughout Prices: Double occupancy per person: $1,990, land only India, and moved to Spencer, Iowa, in 1972. • Farewell dinner Europe. Consider flying home via a number of Single occupancy supplement: $500 After graduation, he joined the Peace Corps as • All group transportation from Lisbon to Co- other European cities, and extending your stay Price includes accommodations, breakfast daily and some lunches and dinners, ground transportation, luggage portage during the Camino, and a teacher in Nepal. He continues to enjoy the imbra, Braga, Guimarães, Valença, Finisterra, for even more adventures. entrance fees to tour sites. Costs may fluctuate depending on exchange rates for the dollar and Euro. Nepalese walking tradition as he and his wife, and Porto LUTHER College Contact Does NOT include flight arrangements. The tour will begin in Lisbon, Portugal, and finish in Porto, Portugal. Luisa, explore the world. • Portage service during Camino de Santiago ___ We (I) wish to reserve ____ spots on the tour. A deposit by Monday, April 15, 2013, of $500 per person is required to reserve the tour. Final payment walking days Sherry Alcock ’82 On July 4, 1986, Peter met his wife, Maria Executive Director of Alumni Relations is due on or before Friday, June 7, 2013. Space is limited, and this tour will fill quickly; reservations will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Luisa Vasconcelos Forsgren, in Larvik, Norway, • Luther College luggage tags • Camino de Santiago pilgrim’s shell and Luther College PASSENGER 1 while they were studying at the University of 700 College Drive Oslo. They have two sons, Jonathan and Phillip, credential (passport stamp book) NAME—EXACTLY AS IT APPEARS ON YOUR PASSPORT BIRTH DATE E-MAIL ADDRESS Decorah, IA 52101 who were born in Taipei, Taiwan, graduated • 13 nights’ accommodation in comfortable hotels and paradores 800-225-8664 or 563-387-1861 from the International School of Vienna, and 563-387-1322, fax attended Ohio Wesleyan University. • All breakfasts, two lunches, and four dinners • Gratuities [email protected] HOME PHONE (please include area code) CELL PHONE (please include area code) Luisa Forsgren is a Portuguese citizen who was born in Mozambique. Currently Luisa teach- • Maps and brochures throughout the trip es Spanish and Peter teaches physical education 2013 LUTHER Portuguese CAMINO and health at the American International School ExPERIENCE IS physically activE! ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP of Vienna. Luisa and Peter have taught together To ensure that you fully enjoy your camino, you at the following International schools for the should be ready to walk for up to four hours. past 26 years: Taipei American School, Republic Our walk will be indoors and out, in all weather of China; International School of Kuala Lumpur, PASSPORT NUMBER COUNTRY OF ISSUE ISSUE DATE EXPIRATION DATE ISSUED BY conditions, up and down hills, and with a small Malaysia; Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; and day pack for essentials and water.