Back in the seventies, in an inhospitable place in the Pyrenees, a surprised Civil Guard patrol saw a middle-age man, dressed in priest, painting a yellow indication in the crossroads. Asked about his name, he answers: Elías Valiña Sampedro. When they started to make questions, he simply said: I am preparing a big invasion.
As Rudyard Kipling said, the man who wins the battle of life is the one who thinks he can do it. The priest of O Cebreiro proved to be a great believer. Beyond the religious feeling and because of his huge work, today there are thousands of pilgrims embracing the Apostle and walking the Way of the Light. The network of collaborators created by this priest was the origin of the different “Amigos del Camino” associations.
In Lugo, the entrance to Galicia of the Pilgrim Roads to Santiago de Compostela, “Asociación de Amigos del Camino de Santiago de la Provincia de Lugo” was set up on 23rd May of 1987. Among other outstanding members, Elías signed as vice-president in the first board of directors. In the foundation statutes, they established the following objectives:
• Working in the defence, preservation and revitalisation of the different pilgrim routes in the province of Lugo.
• Developing and promoting all kind of activities related to the Camino de Santiago: lectures, meetings, travels, pilgrimages and walks.
• Studying and investigating the history and culture related to the cult of St James.
• Collaborating with organizations and institutions related to the Camino de Santiago acting in or out the territorial range of influence of the Association.
Today, we can proudly say the flame those foundation members activated is still alive. Basing on our love for the Camino de Santiago, our Association goes on working, trying to achieve the foundational purposes and improve them year by year.
Ángel Trabada
President of the Association
Asociación de Amigos del Camino de Santiago de la Provincia de Lugo
CIF G-27186972
Pza. Comandante Manso, 11 - Entresuelo
27001 - Lugo
Tel. 638 295 225/ 638 295 226
www.lugocamino.com
lugocamino@gmail.com
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