Since it’s Holy Week, let’s talk about a trail that has everything to do with Brazilian spirituality: the Path of Faith. Conceived 19 years ago by retired IRS inspector Almiro José Grings, from Águas da Prata (SP), it is a path associated with the Brazilian Network of Long Distance Trails and covers a total of 2,500 signposted kilometers along 72 municipalities between the states. Minas Gerais and São Paulo, inspired by the millenary Way to Santiago, from Spain.
Like the Spanish ancestor, the Caminho da Fé offers several routes, or branches, which all lead to the main branch, which starts at the door of the Minor Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora Aparecida, in Águas da Prata (SP), and continues to the Sanctuary. Major of Aparecida do Norte (SP).
The longest stretch is 894 kilometers long, from São José do Rio Preto (SP) to Aparecida do Norte. But whoever makes at least the last 135 kilometers, from Paraisópolis (SP) to Aparecida, is also entitled to a certificate of completion of the pilgrimage. He just doesn’t receive, like someone who completes the minimum of 100 kilometers on the Spanish road, the remission of sins committed until then. Yeah, you can’t have everything.
According to Camila Bassi, manager of the Associação dos Amigos do Caminho da Fé, the similarities between the national version and the Spanish inspiration are not few. But those who have done both guarantee: the one here involves a much greater degree of difficulty than the one on the other side of the Atlantic.
“The altimetry of the Caminho da Fé is much more intense than that of the Camino de Santiago”, she explains. Altimetry is the difference between the plane and the altitude of a point on the ground, that is, the relationship between the difference in level and the horizontal distance. Changing into small items: how much the hiker will need to face uphill and downhill along a given path. On the Caminho da Fé, the pirambeiras are more accentuated, that’s it.
Even with the geographical difficulties (or precisely because of them), the Caminho da Fé attracts more and more hikers in the country.”We have registered an annual increase of 30% to 35% in the number of people who register at some of the passport”, says Bassi. “And that’s without considering who will walk the route without worrying about the certificate.” Last year, more than 15,800 pilgrims were officially registered.
Who is the Path of Faith for?
The motivation that leads people to the Way are increasingly diverse. Even though the largest contingent is still driven by religiosity, Bassi says that the total number of those who claim to be there for the challenge of self-knowledge, for the sport itself or for tourism is significant. In times of expensive tickets in any modal, the average daily expense estimated between R$ 100.00 and R$ 150.00 including accommodation and food is a more than good attraction to motivate citizens to put their backpacks on their backs.
There is no camping on the Caminho da Fé, at least not in most stretches, which eliminates the need to carry a tent, pans and sleeping bags, which allows you to travel light, with minimal luggage. The stops, accredited at distances of, on average, 20 kilometers from each other, can accommodate tired legs and loins in hotels, inns or even houses of residents of the region that offer accommodation for modest amounts. In many places, such as the Spanish route, the “Pilgrim’s Menu” is offered, the trail version of the dish made each day, at a special price for those who present their passports. And for anyone to get lost, the route is signaled every 2 kilometers by yellow arrows in clearly visible places, with signs that inform the distance to the door of the Basilica of Aparecida.
The issuance of the pilgrim’s passport can be done at 38 stations accredited by the Association at different points of the various branches, for R$ 20.00. And it’s very interesting to carry this “document” and stamp it in the designated places for the reception of hikers: it allows the old-fashioned record of the completed journey, much more charming than the GPS one, go. These locations can be both inn points and restaurants, gas stations and snack bars along the way. A list of accredited establishments can be found on the Association’s website.
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