Pilgrimage to Heresy: Don't Believe Everything They Tell You

by Tracy Saunders

PILGRIMAGE TO HERESY asks disturbing questions about the nature of faith and pilgrimage.
The Catholic Church would rather you didn't learn the answers! Trier, Gaul, 385 C.E.
Priscillian of A wealthy former Senator, a charismatic bishop with a huge following in his native Galicia, argues for his life against his accusers, two powerful Spanish bishops who win the ready ear of the new Emperor, Maximus. Along with eight of his closest followers including Eucrotia, the widow of a Roman noble, Priscillian is accused of witchcraft and heresy. Yet Priscillian's message is one of celibacy, simplicity, and gentleness. Is he guilty? For centuries, it has been claimed that St. James is buried in the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain-the Holy Grail of pilgrims for over 1200 years. But what if he is not? What if the occupant of the crypt is none other than Priscillian, a man whose Gnostic message threatened to undo the power of the newly formed Roman church? The Camino de Santiago, Spain, 2000 C.E. Miranda has left her untenured position at the University of Toronto to go on a 800 kilometers hike in the north of Spain. On her second day walking in the Pyrenees, she meets Kieran, a lapsed candidate for the priesthood, who is translating a book written in a book he shouldn't have. The next day, Kieran is missing, and so is his translation! A religious injustice . Two love one doomed from the start . and a mystery perhaps.

376 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Jane Blanchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pilgrimage to Heresy: Don´t Believe Everything They Tell You (The Camino Chronicles) relates two stories. The first is of modern-day Miranda who is walking the Camino de Santiago. She meets Kieran, a priest in training, and their conversations cause Miranda to question her beliefs. Kieran gives Miranda a package to carry and protect as she travels to Santiago. With this package comes a mystery.

The second story is of 4th-century Priscillian of Avila, a Gnostic bishop, who is persecuted by his peers for his beliefs and called a heretic and a witch. After reading his story, the reader wonders whose remains actually rest in St. James' tomb.

Both are love stories: love between two people, and love between friends.

Of the two, I found Priscillian's story more interesting, better crafted, with realistic dialog. It also provided me with insights as to what was going on in the Church during the formative centuries. I appreciate the research that Ms Saunders did to write this book and her talent for devising a captivating story. I am looking forward to reading more of her books.

[Linhowie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A marvellous read

I enjoyed this book from start to finish. It is thought provoking, imaginative and weaves fact with fiction that somehow seems believable while reading. As I embark on my own Camino Francés, it has added another dimension to my journey above and beyond the guidebook or memoir.

[Marisol · Rating 3 out of 5]

En mi opinión, el contenido es un batiburrillo de temas, desde el origen del Camino de Santiago y los restos de la cripta de la catedral, pasando por el obispo Prisciliano y su complicado entorno de familiares, amigos y enemigos, las anécdotas y romances de algunos de los peregrinos del camino, el Camino Francés (albergues, comidas, etc), la ceremonia gallega de las meigas (queimada), los evangelios gnósticos, incluyendo también un poco por los pelos la cuestión celta, colocada inexplicablemente y tratando de darle sentido dentro del contexto de toda la historia. Tal vez sea la traducción del inglés al español? En fin, hubo pasajes completos intragables. Referencias bibliográficas limitadas a autores e investigadores de habla inglesa.