From May 19 to 26, Malta will welcome delegates from across Europe for the General Assembly of Camino Europa Compostela (CEC), marking the first time the event has been held on the Mediterranean island. Organized under the theme “It’s in the Journey,” the gathering will offer a weeklong series of events exploring the cultural, spiritual and communal dimensions of pilgrimage in the modern world.
The General Assembly brings together 24 Camino associations from 16 countries, united by their commitment to preserving and evolving the centuries-old tradition of the Camino de Santiago, the famous pilgrimage route ending in northwest Spain. Hosted this year by the Maltese association XirCammini, the event highlights Malta’s historic connection to the Camino and its growing role in the European pilgrimage network.
Connecting heritage and contemporary pilgrimage
The choice of Malta as host reflects its deep-rooted Christian heritage and its renewed connection to the Camino through the revival of the Camino Maltés — a historic route linking Malta to Santiago via Sicily and Sardinia. This revival is largely thanks to the work of James Portelli, founder of XirCammini, whose lifelong passion for pilgrimage and cultural heritage has helped reconnect Malta with one of Europe’s most enduring spiritual journeys.
As Portelli explains, pilgrimage is “an evolving personal journey — one that transcends institutions and unfolds both individually and in communion with others.”
Supported by the Malta Tourism Authority and other international partners, the assembly aims to strengthen collaboration among Camino communities and promote faith-based and sustainable tourism rooted in cultural dialogue.
“Christianity, as a faith, is first and foremost a journey and not an institution,” Portelli shared in a recent interview with VisitMalta. “And, what best embodies this journey if not one’s individual journey, even if sometimes undertaken in communion with others?”
Promoting dialogue on pilgrimage today
The highlight of the week will be the “Camino Conference & Info Fair” on May 25 at St. Paul’s Missionary College in Rabat. Open to pilgrims, scholars and the public, the event will feature keynote speakers and panel discussions reflecting on pilgrimage as a practice that speaks to the spiritual and cultural dimensions of modern life.
The speakers and topics will include Dr. Dane Munro, discussing pilgrimage from a millennial perspective; Breandán O Scanaill, sharing his six-month walk from Ireland to Santiago; “A presentation of Pilgrimaps,” a new digital platform connecting global pilgrimage routes; and Dr. Stanley Farrugia Randon, exploring the history of Malta’s Church of San Mikiel ta’ San Cir, a church with Byzantine and Aragonese roots which will shortly be restored by Din l-Art Helwa, a nonprofit that safeguards Malta’s cultural heritage.
The afternoon will feature a panel on the diverse expressions of pilgrimage — religious, spiritual and secular — moderated by Sue Sergeant, chair of the United Kingdom-based Confraternity of St. James. The conference will conclude with brief presentations from each participating association, offering a panoramic view of the Camino’s evolving role across Europe.
Echoing ‘Pilgrims of Hope’
That evening, an Ecumenical Pilgrim Service will be held at the historic St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta. Open to all pilgrims of faith, the service, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” echoes the late Pope Francis’ message for the 2025 Jubilee Year and will include the symbolic offering of Camino shells and a candle blessed at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.
Led by clergy and pilgrims from Malta and abroad, the service aims to create a space for shared reflection and unity across different traditions.
Pilgrimage in film and art
The assembly will also celebrate the Camino through cinema and visual art. On May 24, “The Way, My Way,” an Australian film based on the memoir of director William Bennett, will show in Malta with two invitation-only screenings at St. James Cavalier in Valletta. Sponsored by the Spanish Embassy and the Australian High Commission, the film offers a humorous and heartfelt look at the transformative power of the Camino.
Meanwhile, the “It’s in the Journey” art exhibition will run throughout the week at the Postal Museum in Valletta. Featuring mixed-media works and photo installations by contemporary artists and experienced pilgrims, the exhibition will capture the sensory and emotional landscape of the Camino from personal perspectives.
A modern pilgrimage for a shared future
While rooted in a long-standing spiritual tradition, this year’s General Assembly also looks to the future in asking what it means to be a pilgrim in today’s world. Whether through walking, art, reflection or dialogue, participants are invited to rediscover the Camino as a space where cultures meet, communities grow and personal journeys unfold.
As Malta hosts this significant European gathering, the message is clear: The Camino is more than a path through Europe. It is a living tradition, open to all, inviting each person to walk with intention, to listen deeply and to find connection.
