Father/Son pilgrimage along Spain’s Camino de Santiago to return in 2026

From the Diocese of Wichita’s four-day Fr. Kapaun pilgrimage, to the many jubilee year pilgrimages undertaken to Rome and other holy sites in 2025, Catholic pilgrimages seem, if not common, at least increasingly familiar. 

Nevertheless, says Sacred Heart, Colwich, parishioner Al Jirak, walking pilgrimages – such as the one to England’s Canterbury Cathedral that frames Geoffrey Chaucer’s unfinished collection from the late 1300s – were once a more prominent part of Christian spirituality. 

“It is a lost Catholic devotion that has largely been dropped,” he said. “I want to help awaken that practice.”

One reason for this is the walking pilgrimages he has undertaken with his oldest sons, Blaise, Gabriel, and Augustine, specifically the Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James. The network of ancient pilgrimage routes leading to the tomb of the apostle St. James the Greater at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain is almost definitely the best-known Christian pilgrimage.

Jirak had long dreamed of making a father-son pilgrimage along the Camino, and when he turned 40 in 2021, he successfully pitched the idea to his wife, Teresa. “Blaise was going to be a senior in high school and Gabe and Gus were going to be freshmen, so I figured the time was right,” he said. 

They began in Pamplona, Spain, and walked together for 31 days, he reports. Counting some short breaks in the major cities along the way and air travel to and from Europe, they were out of the United States for about 40 days. 

Jirak indicates the pilgrimage bolstered their minds, bodies, and souls, while the vivid and enthralling shared experience reinforced their connections. “It was amazing,” he said. “Incredible.”

So incredible, he continues, that he soon discerned an overwhelming call to promote and enable a shorter, two-week version for other fathers and sons, including those whose bonds may have frayed. “Even fathers and sons who struggle in their relationship, or who maybe are not all that religious, may be interested in doing something exotic and challenging in a foreign country,” Jirak said. “The target age for kids is seventh grade through high school.”

Diocese of Wichita priests Fr. Chad Arnold and Fr. Chris Rumback accompanied the group of more about 30 in 2022, which enabled the pilgrims to experience Mass at the end of each day. That continued with the next pilgrimage in 2024, when the group numbered around three dozen and included Fr. Arnold and Fr. Eric Weldon.

“The second one was much better because we figured out a lot of the logistics,” Jirak said. 

The pilgrimage experience can mirror many aspects of life’s journey – with frustrations and beauty, weariness and triumphs – he says, which may be one reason why so many of the pilgrims report profound experiences.

Jirak points to a wealth of positive feedback, which includes statements from 2024 pilgrims such as:

• “The experience was more valuable than I can express. The journey with my sons was priceless. The emotional and physical journey is shared and we all grew together on our trip.”

• “After seeing how much my son enjoyed our time together it’s something you can’t put a price tag on. We grew together spiritually and emotionally.”

• “This is something I will have with my sons for the rest of our lives. I am hoping to take the rest of my family at some point in time. The minute we left, I couldn’t wait to come back.”

• “Absolutely one of the best ways to make a lifetime friendship while being spiritually enlightened.”

Furthermore, the Diocese of Wichita’s spiritual father, Bishop Carl Kemme, expresses support for the undertaking, which Jirak and his fellow organizers have dubbed “Camino Fully Alive.” “Their ministry of bringing fathers and sons together along the ancient Way of St. James, accompanied by good priests, does much to strengthen families and faith,” the bishop said. “Against the rich Catholic backdrop of the Camino de Santiago, they incorporate daily Mass and fellowship alongside a slower pace of life, enriching the lives of those who walk with them. May the Holy Spirit continue to bless their work.”