🩵The Accidental Pilgrim by Maggi Dawn

Never stop!

🩵 pilgrimage🩵

I suppose I am part of a fiery lot!

A Book Review and Reflection

At the end of my Camino, in the winding streets of Santiago de Compostela, I wandered into a small gift shop — the kind filled with postcards, rosaries, and memorabilia that entice tourists and pilgrims alike. On a shelf near the counter sat a book with a simple cover that caught my eye: The Accidental Pilgrim by Maggi Dawn.

It was in English (a sweet blessing as I was in Spain!) and the word Pilgrim practically jumped at me. I knew right away it was coming home with me.

I remembered a stop sign that I had seen on om pilgrimage path that read :“Don’t stop believing, walking, and loving.” I smiled. Somehow it felt like a message meant to travel with me, along with the book that I purchased and tucked in my little backpack Rita.

Maggi Dawn’s The Accidental Pilgrim isn’t a typical travel memoir. It’s a thoughtful blend of history, theology, and quiet reflection. She writes about how pilgrimage has shaped the hearts of seekers for centuries — those who traveled to holy places searching for something larger than themselves.

She also weaves in her own experiences: visiting the Holy Land, navigating faith, and balancing the sacred call of motherhood. Her words reminded me how pilgrimage can take many forms. Sometimes it’s a journey across countries; other times, it’s an inward turning — toward meaning, grace, or the next right step.

I didn’t feel like I was reading my own story in her book, but rather glimpsing the long line of pilgrims who walked before me. It felt grounding — a reminder that this longing to seek, to walk, to question, to love — is ancient.

As I read on the long journey home, I thought about all the paths that lead us to unexpected places. Some we plan. Some we stumble upon by accident. And maybe that’s what makes them sacred. And what makes life oh so interesting!

🩵 Buen Camino, fellow pilgrims of the heart!

🩵Mary, The Joyful Gypsy Gal