Archbishop Dew praying for vocations on pilgrimage

Archbishop John Dew of Wellington is 12 days into his 35 day, 800 km pilgrimage to Santiago, the Spanish city which claims St James as its apostle.

Every year thousands of pilgrims walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela (The Way of St James), which is a collection of old pilgrimage routes across Europe with Santiago as the final destination.

Before leaving New Zealand in early August, Archbishop Dew expressed his hope to experience an “inner spiritual pilgrimage”.

“When I’m walking alone there are no distractions. It is a time to reflect, pray and be aware of the blessings in my life”.

During his daily 25 km of walking he is praying for more vocations to the priesthood in New Zealand, something he will ask of St James on arrival in Santiago.

Archbishop Dew’s estimated date of arrival in Santiago is 27 September. Following this he will travel to Rome for the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East, as President of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania.

He will stay in Rome to celebrate the canonisation of Blessed Mary MacKillop on 17 October before returning to New Zealand.

Radio New Zealand interview with Archbishop Dew http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/nights/20100903