Warwick residents practice for Spain's 500-mile Camino de Santiago

WARWICK — On Saturday, Feb. 16, three local Warwick residents - Marla Silbernagel, Filma Blankowitz and Diana Eschmann - joined Father Reynor Santiago, parochial vicar of the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr, and members of his Church Agape Youth Group for a hike along the Appalachian Trail overlooking Greenwood Lake.
Everyone met on the frozen ground by the entrance to the 2200-mile National Scenic Trail where it crosses Route 17A atop Mt. Peter.
The church youth group, whose membership includes junior high and high school students, is based on leadership, service and agape, the ancient Greek word for the highest form of love.
They frequently assemble for scheduled meetings, fun outings and other activities.
But the women, who have dubbed themselves, "The Three Caminos," had only joined the members of the Agape Youth Group that day to practice, as they do on most days for an upcoming adventure this spring.
They plan to complete the arduous 30-day walk along Spain's Camino de Santiago or Way of Saint James, which was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during the Middle Ages.
Since the 1980s the route, popularized by many documentaries and most recently, a 2010 film, "The Way," starring actor Martin Sheen, has attracted a growing number of modern-day international pilgrims.
"The Three Caminos," are wise to practice daily. They will have to walk 17 miles each day for 30 days to complete their pilgrimage.
Santiago, who bears the same name as that of the Camino, and his Agape group were happy to be of help.
- Roger Gavan