The latest book that I have read by Paulo Coelho is The Pilgrimage. This is an account of a religious pilgrimage taken by the author on the road to Santiago. Having failed to complete the final steps in his ordination as a Master of the Order of RAM (a minor religious order within the Catholic Church) his master assigns him to walk the Road to Santiago, an ancient Christian pilgrimage route beginning in southern France and continuing across northern Spain. It is a journey traditionally taken on foot and is one of three major medieval pilgrimages each of which provided a plenary indulgence to pilgrims completing the journey. Coelho is told by his guide that there is a fourth secret way to complete the set, but we never find out about this in this book.

The book has been described as a companion piece to The Alchemist, another fictional account of a young shepherd’s pilgrimage across North Africa in pursuit of his dream. Although the shepherd is usually referred to as "the boy" we find when we first meet him that his name is Santiago. Coelho begins to write The Alchemist shortly after completing the pilgrimage to Santiago which was a pivotal event in his life and in vocation.

The Pilgrimage is much more than a travelogue; rather it is an account of Coelho's spiritual journey. Although many pilgrims walk alone or with a group Coelho has a guide for the journey who is also a member of RAM. Along the road he learns nearly a dozen religious exercises of meditation, imagination and discipline. Petrus, his guide, tells him that the way they are following is not an exclusive road; rather the physical and spiritual journey they are on is a simple quest for God that is available to the common person. While his studies to be a Master of the Order of RAM taught him esoteric knowledge available only to a few the common person can participate in the simple exercises Petrus was teaching. Paulo gives detailed directions for each of these exercises, obviously inviting readers to learn each of them.

Along the way with Petrus’s help Coelho becomes acquainted with his personal devil who is an ally in the material world as well as learning to depend on his guardian angel. He learns to overcome his fears and defeat demons. At the end of the journey Petrus presents him with the sword which was denied him at his first initiation.

While pilgrimage is no longer a major part of Catholic practice and most Protestants are virtually ignorant concerning the concept Muslims would certainly understand. Over one million Muslims make the Hajj each year. This pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam expected of every Muslim who is physically and financially capable.

It is worth reading!