The archdiocese of Salzburg has launched a project for guides to accompany pilgrims along Austrian pilgrimage routes, and is organizing training courses for tourist guides. The first course was attended and completed by 14 guides; they were trained about past and present pilgrimage routes, safety, the preparation and conduct of a pilgrimage and questions of spiritual assistance. The practical part of the course included a three-day pilgrimage on the way of St. James, a path opened last May that leads from Salzburg to Waidring. The guides will now be able to accompany pilgrims along the parts of the way of St. James that traverse Austria and along the Via Nova. In the autumn pilgrims will be able to travel along the pilgrimage routes accompanied by authorized guides. Given the renewed interest in spiritual tourism, another course in now in preparation. It will be held in the spring of next year. Further information on www.pilgerwege.at.
