“It’s the way of St. James…no one walks by accident.”
The four main characters of the film The Way participate in the pilgrimage for different reasons. Thomas lost his son, Sarah regretted her abortion, Joost wanted to be healthier and gain insight for his relationship, and Jack wanted to gain enlightenment. They each experience at least one of the six ways/paths to God: belief, disbelief, return, exploration, confusion, or independence.
One character that I believe exhibits more than one pathway over the course of the film is Jack from Ireland. Aside from the main character Thomas Avery, I believe Jack to be the most dynamic. At first glance, he is an eclectic and failed writer seeking inspiration from the pilgrimage. This is true, but we learn there is more to the story. I believe Jack travels through exploration, independence, and return. First and foremost, Jack was participating on the journey to write his own novel about his travel along the camino. He had big dreams of writing his own novel, but only wrote stories for travel magazines. He wanted to break free and explore his dream through the pilgrimage. Before he met the three others, he was on the journey for three months. Jack’s exploration was to immerse himself into the atmosphere and see what inspired him. However, we find out that he has been suffering from writer’s block. His exploration was no longer invigorating, it had become troublesome.
We also learn that Jack does not like Churches. He claims that they have “a lot to answer for.” He recognized the religious aspects, but gained independence from it. I believe the path of independence is what sent Jack on the pilgrimage in the first place. Yes he was a travel writer, but he could have written about any other experience. Jack chose to experience the el camino walk because religion was something troubling in his mind. He wanted to believe it, but couldn’t so he went on the journey. However, Jack did reach his limit when the others entered a church and he waited outside.
The last path Jack travels through is return. Once Jack, Thomas, Sarah, and Joost reach the end of the pilgrimage at Santiago, each realizes their true purpose moving forward. Jack is seen sobbing during the mass at Santiago. Not only is he present in the Church, but he is going through an emotional change. Jack returns to his faith through an overwhelming experience. His struggle to “make it big” in the industry meant nothing anymore. The only thing that mattered was that Jack completed the journey and found himself. He no longer needed the validation of becoming successful.
Throughout the entire film, we learn that Jack is confident, but has his own struggles. The friendship/companionship formed among Jack, Thomas, Sarah, and Joost helped each person develop along the journey. St. Ignatius’ six paths to God are relevant not only in this movie, but in each of our lives. Although this movie was very different from my own life, it proved that the most ordinary people can experience the most extraordinary things. I was also very pleased to learn that the El Camino pilgrimage is a real walk that anyone can take. Ignatian Spirituality teaches us how to find God in different people and experiences. I look forward to experiencing and exploring my unique relationship with God in my own life.
Macayle Fuchs 