Training

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