February 16, 2026 //
On Saturday, February 14, 37 women attended our monthly Saturday women’s gathering to hear parishioner Katie Fashant share the story of walking the Camino de Santiago with her husband, Peter Dowd. Over coffee and lively conversation, we were invited into a 790-kilometer (490-mile) pilgrimage from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain — a journey marked by endurance, reflection, and deep faith.
Katie and Peter completed the Camino over 43 days in May–July 2025 after eight years of thoughtful planning and a challenging five-month training regimen. Gradually building up to walking 30 miles a week, they prepared their bodies for the road ahead. There were countless hours of podcast listening, YouTube watching, and detailed logistics. Not to mention the months spent testing perhaps the most important pilgrim equipment, walking shoes and socks – which proved successful (not a single blister!).
At the heart of their preparation was an honest question: “Could we really do this at 60 years old?” The disciplined training gave them confidence. Step by step, mile by mile, they proved to themselves that they could.
Yet the Camino was about far more than physical endurance.
Katie has always felt close to God outdoors. As she and Peter entered retirement, they longed for time to reset and reflect, to discern not only what they wanted next, but what God might be calling them to in this new season of life. The pilgrimage offered space and time for that listening.
It was also a journey of healing. In the previous five years, Katie had lost both of her parents and a brother. Quoting John Muir — “Nature in her green, tranquil woods heals and soothes all afflictions. Earth hath no sorrows that Earth cannot heal” — Katie shared that she hoped also to find solace in the walking and the beauty of creation on the joourney.
All the couple’s careful planning and training was richly rewarded.
Each day, the landscape offered stunning views and beautiful churches and cathedrals — most surrounded by stork nests, whose young they watched grow as the weeks passed. They experienced feast days in small villages and even a local running of the bulls. Larger cities like Pamplona brought energy and history, and throughout the journey they encountered warmth and generous hospitality.
“All along the walk you could feel that the people in all the towns were praying for you and all the pilgrims. It was powerful and amazing,” Katie recalled.
The Camino, traditionally walked to honor St. James — whose remains are believed to rest at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela — has long drawn pilgrims seeking renewal and deeper faith. The couple met pilgrims from around the world — first-timers and seasoned walkers alike — who quickly felt like family.
She also shared a story of encountering a “Camino Angel” on a day when they had briefly lost their way. A man who spoke no English took one of their arms and redirected them back to the trail, guiding them to the cross marking the path. “The Angels are real,” Katie fondly recalled.
As they neared Santiago, more and more pilgrims entered the path and finally each of the the different Camino routes converged before the Cathedral. In those final days, Katie and Peter intentionally slowed down, choosing to be fully present. Arriving at the Cathedral and attending Mass became a time of sacredness, gratitude, and a chance to discern their learnings from the incredible journey.
As always, hearing the faith stories of women in our parish inspired us all. We thank Katie for sharing this unique and profound story with us. This amazing morning together included enthusiastic questions, especially from women currently planning their own pilgrimages.
We look forward to welcoming Katie back for more stories after she and Peter complete their planned second Camino pilgrimage — when they turn 70!
