Announcing "Casa Anglicana del Peregrinos"

May 5, 2023

Earlier this week I shared some exciting news with our donors. Today I would like to share it with you, our wider circle of friends.

On May 1, we completed the purchase of a pensión just a few hundred meters from the Cathedral and Plaza Obradoiro, in the historic section of Santiago de Compostela. After the papers were signed and keys were received, Bishop Carlos’ first act was to pray and bless the space and ministry team, offering the words of Psalm 127: “Unless the Lord builds the house, their labor is in vain who build it.” We could not have reached this milestone without the prayers and support of all our friends. Thank you.

“Si el Señor no edificare la casa, en vano trabajan los que la edifican” (Salmo 127).
Mother Anna, Facilities Manager Roberto, Bishop Carlos

Since 2015 when Bishop Carlos López Lozano first shared his dream of an Anglican Pilgrim Centre in Santiago de Compostela with us, we have been raising money and looking for the right building in which to fulfil our mission. Over the past several years, we looked at more than two dozen places. When a 14-bedroom, handicap accessible hotel became available, we made an offer.

The building comes furnished, with eight ensuite rooms and six with shared bathrooms. A facilities manager has been hired, and together with our pilgrim missioner, Mother Anna, they will expand our existing pattern of worship and welcome currently based at Santa Susana’s Church, Alameda Park. They will offer hospitality, accommodations, and worship at “Casa Anglicana del Peregrinos” later this pilgrim season. In the off season, we will do whatever renovations may be deemed appropriate. We are excited that the next phase of our work is about to begin.

During the initial phase of our campaign, we have been blessed with an ever-increasing circle of pilgrims and friends. The financial support of over 200 donors has moved this dream into reality. Their generosity is enabling us to obey our Lord’s commandment to “welcome the stranger,” by creating an ecumenical place of hospitality, learning, healing, hope, and love. With the leadership of Bishop Carlos and the pastoral energy of Mother Anna and others, we have begun to minister to those along the Camino and those who have already arrived in Santiago. Your continued prayers and the generosity of all our supporters will help us build on this foundation and ensure that we continue to care for those pilgrims who follow in their footsteps.

In the coming weeks, more information will be available on our website and through additional Zoom presentations. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me. I would love to tell you more and thank you again for your part in making this exciting and important ministry a reality.

With gratitude,