Training

Over the weekend of 10–12 April, in collaboration with the hosts, Marinella and Serenella, coordinated by Laura, the training coordinator, a group of 13 hospitaleros discussed and reflected on the centrality of the pilgrim and the transparency of the hospitalero – an essential pairing that forms the basis of our hospitality service.

The pilgrim takes centre stage whenever the hospitalero makes the pilgrim the focus of their attention and dedicates themselves to creating the conditions for the pilgrim to feel at home in the hostel, as if they were in their own home, and to feel listened to and understood. The other important point is: how do they do this? They do so without putting themselves at the centre, remaining invisible – ‘transparent’, in fact – placing themselves at the service of others whilst at the same time carrying out the essential work of ‘maintaining’ the hostel.

Starting from our personal stories, which allowed us to introduce ourselves and get to know one another, we identified some areas for further exploration: Expectations, Caring, Seeing Beyond, Responsibility, Stereotypes and Prejudices.

We split into small groups, each of which chose and then presented to the others a meaningful story capable of sparking a debate on the chosen theme. The stories presented featured pilgrims who, through their unpredictability, presented the hospitaleros with real decision-making dilemmas: misunderstandings, complex situations difficult to assess, and behaviour that is not always pleasant and can be exhausting to deal with.

This gave rise to a lively exchange of differing thoughts and perspectives, partly thanks to the use of the ‘devil’s advocate’ role, which often shed light on the less obvious aspects of situations and on the hospitalero’s own feelings or doubts. The range of considerations that emerged, whilst respecting differing opinions, was then distilled into a summary that we wish to share with hospitaleros who were unable to attend, as ‘tips’ that may serve as a guide to making our service as peaceful and enriching a human experience as possible.

1. the way we look at things makes all the difference
2. listening opens you up and enriches you
3. participation: no hospitalero is an island
4. trust in the universe
5. before and after the encounter: we are no longer the same as before
6. the other person is different from me and must be seen and treated as they are
7. being aware of ourselves: thoughts, feelings, reactions
8. Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about: be kind, always
9. Every unexpected event, however painful, offers more possibilities
10. We’re not all saints: let’s shake off the dust!
11. intimacy creates a world: let’s enter it on tiptoe
12. invest in light-heartedness
13. ‘takeaway’ emotions
14. tackling our sore points
15. responsibility as a safeguard for pilgrims and the host
16. inclusivity: respect for everyone’s space.

The most recent course in Italy took place in the town of Segni, near Rome, at an altitude of 800 metres.

The snow covering the surrounding mountains did nothing to dampen the atmosphere of friendship that immediately developed between the participants and the trainers. During a break from work, our local host took us on a tour of the town and its massive walls. Once the course is over, the novatos, full of enthusiasm, will put their first experience of hospitality into practice.

Our third training for new hospitaleros voluntarios took place in Tuscany over the weekend of March 13-15. The San Lorenzo Hospital, located in the former Capuchin Monastery of Pontremoli, hosted the sixteen participants and the team of veteran hospital volunteer trainers. Despite Saturday’s rain, the participants were able to explore the city, full of hidden corners.

Once again, both the newcomers and the trainers returned satisfied, with a sense of accomplishment and the atmosphere of unity and solidarity that characterizes each course.

The new hospitaleros voluntarios now eagerly await their next assignment, where they will reciprocate the warm welcome they have received, as the international family of hospital volunteers continues to grow.

The second course for volunteer hospitaleros took place in Turin on the last weekend of February 2026.
The historic complex that hosted us is the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary with its Cistercian monastery founded in 1617, near the ancient Mirafiori Castle. The monastery currently offers lodging to groups of young people and pilgrims walking from Montgenèvre to Rome and back to Santiago de Compostela.

The 15 new participants, accompanied by a group of experienced volunteers, spent a weekend experiencing traditional hospitality and exploring the many facets of life as a hospitalero. They also visited the air raid shelters in the church’s basement, which protected the neighborhood’s residents during World War II.

The meeting provided a further opportunity to discuss the Camino de Santiago and the pilgrimage route, renewing their commitment to hospitality.

Like the new aspiring hospitaleri, the training team—Laura, Marinella, Angelo, Barbara, José Luis, Marcella and Umberto—and the interns, Emilio, Ornella, and Giovanni, will be engaged in service both in Italy along the Via Francigena and in Spain along the Camino de Santiago.
Thank you all for your hard work and dedication, without which it would be difficult to maintain the spirit of hospitality in the hostels.

The 2026 training calendar is now available.
The training activities are aimed at volunteers and anyone interested in learning more about or learning more about the pilgrim reception service along the routes. The program includes meetings dedicated to the main aspects of volunteering, organizing reception, and sharing experiences.

Participation requirements are:

• Have been on a pilgrimage to Santiago or to Rome or to another devotional route of sufficient length (at least 400 km) to become aware of the needs of pilgrims and experience traditional hospitality;
• Have attended a short training course to learn about the work in the pilgrim hostels and the principles that guide hospitaleros voluntarios ;
• To be available for service in the same year as the course, to complete the classroom training. In Spain, the shifts last 15 days, in the first or second fortnight of each month. In Italy, the service is usually weekly, from Saturday to Saturday.

Below are the dates and locations, which can also be found in the dedicated section of the association’s website.

• PRAGLIA (Padova) 13,14,15 FEBRUARY
• STUPINIGI (Torino)  27, 28 FEBRUARY, 1 MARCH
• PONTREMOLI (Massa)  13,14,15 MARCH
• SEGNI (Roma)  27, 28, 29 MARCH

On the sunny weekend of 11-13 October, this year’s 5th course for new Hospitaleros Voluntarios was held at the Benedictine Abbey of Praglia, near Padua.
The magic of the Francigena and Jacobean way led the 17 participants, aged between 30 and 60, to want to give back what they had received during their pilgrimage. Their first service will take place in Italy in 2025 to welcome pilgrims arriving for the Holy Year, but many of them will repeat it in Spain.
A great harmony was immediately established between the participants and trainers. As always, training sessions  are a gift of friendship, complicity, serenity, humility and, above all, a commitment to serve others.
Special thanks to the two AP veteran hospitaleros who prepared a simple and inclusive menu.

In 2024, the courses for would-be hospitaleros will follow the following schedule:

• 23-25 February Velletri (Rome)
• 8-10 March Praglia (Padua)
• 22-24 March Pianezza (Turin)
• 5-7 April Valpromaro (Lucca)

For info write to Laura Monastier accoglienzapellegrina.corsi@gmail.com
The above schedule can also be found in the ‘Hospitaleros Voluntarios’ section of the Spanish Federation: https://www.caminosantiago.org/cpperegrino/hospitaleros/cursos.asp

In 2023, the courses for would-be hospitaleros will follow the following schedule:

• 24-26 February Velletri (Rome)
• 10-12 March Cavagnolo (Turin)
• 24-26 March Ponte d’Arbia (Siena)
• 14-16 April Valpromaro (Lucca)

For info write to Laura Monastier accoglienzapellegrina.corsi@gmail.com
The above schedule can also be found in the ‘Hospitaleros Voluntarios’
section of the Spanish Federation: https://www.caminosantiago.org/cpperegrino/hospitaleros/cursos.asp