Skaistkalne to Celebrate St. James Day with Cleanup, Tile Unveiling, and Mass
The Latvian St. James Way Association invites pilgrims and locals to St. James Day celebrations in Skaistkalne on July 25, featuring the Spanish deputy ambassador and a Lithuanian Camino delegation.
On Saturday, July 25, the town of Skaistkalne will host St. James Day celebrations organized by the Latvian St. James Way Association in cooperation with the Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven. Pilgrims, local residents, and all interested parties are welcome to participate.
St. James Day is observed across Europe in honor of Saint James the Apostle, the patron saint of pilgrims. This year, the event will have an international dimension: the Deputy Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Latvia, Estera Martina Padrona, will attend, along with representatives of Camino Lituano from Lithuania. The Latvian Camino community will be represented by association members, volunteers, and pilgrims from various regions.
The program begins at 9:00 AM with a volunteer cleanup of pilgrim accommodations, including washing windows. At 11:30 AM, a hand-painted tile featuring the Camino symbol – a scallop shell – will be unveiled near the church, followed by speeches from guests. A holy mass will take place at noon, after which participants are invited to a shared meal and fellowship.
Skaistkalne is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Latvia and a key stop on the Latvian St. James Way. Organizers emphasize that the event aims to strengthen pilgrimage traditions, promote international cooperation, and introduce the public to Camino as a European cultural route. Participation is open to everyone, and donations are welcome to ensure hospitable reception.
