People

A pilgrimage for children

When a medieval pilgrimage route plays host to a modern-day Kiwanis fund-raiser, a ‘blessing’ of 25,000 euros benefits children’s programs

It may be a little like the message from a popular credit card commercial.

“High-quality walking shoes, 75 euros.

Energy bars, 50 euros.

Camping supplies and miscellaneous provisions, 200 euros.

Traveling "The Way," Theo Stulens packs traditional gear--a begging bowl--and new equipment--a Kiwanis flag.

Walking 500 miles in 32 days along a medieval pilgrimage route to raise 25,000 euros for the benefit of children, priceless.”

Theo Stulens, immediate past lieutenant governor of the Limburg-Haspengouw Division of the BelgiumLuxembourg District, completed such a journey on June 22, 2007—his 64th birthday.

At 10:25 a.m. on what Theo calls “the most beautiful birthday in my life,” he arrived in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, triumphantly finishing a trek along what is known as the ancient “El Camino de Santiago,” or, “The Way of St. James.” In doing so, he realized a lifelong dream and raised money for eight projects benefiting children, all supported by clubs within his division.

The Way of St. James is so named because it is believed St. James, one of Jesus Christ’s 12 apostles, traveled from the Middle East to the Iberian Peninsula to preach. His remains, the legend continues, later were transported to the area, and a 9th century bishop claimed to have found them in what is now Santiago de Compostela. In the 11th and 12th centuries, Cathedral de Compostela was built, which stands today as a final destination for walkers.

Hundreds of thousands of foot-travelers have covered the journey since then, traveling for perhaps as many reasons. Theo heard many of them during his odyssey.

“The most beautiful thing is the stories from other pilgrims about why they do the Camino,” he explains. “A German man had lost his wife; a young woman from Macao was looking to her future; an American friend wanted to change his life. Everyone has a reason for doing the Camino.”

The money Theo raised was distributed among eight projects: Kiwanis dolls, mediclowns (who cheer up hospitalized children), camps for burn victims, a crisis center for children, a playground construction effort, an educational initiative in Kenya, a day at Plopsaland family amusement park for 150 disabled children, and a home for disabled persons.

What’s next for Theo? “For now, I have no project, but we will see what life brings me,” Theo says. “But he’ll remember the Camino.

“It is the only road where you find perfect world peace and friendship,” he says. “It’s the most beautiful thing one can do in life.”

Or, in a word, it’s priceless.—Andy McLaughlin