One of the CSJ's greatest assets is its extensive pilgrim library. 

We have hundreds of titles on pilgrimage, be they journals, texts, novels, CDs, DVDs, or pamphlets.  This collection has been carefully curated for over three decades and continues to be looked after by our current librarian, Margaret Simonot. We also house the library of the Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome - our sister organisation that promotes the Via Francigena pilgrimage from Canterbury to St Peter's Square. 

Anyone is welcome to peruse the library - please just ring or email the office to make an appointment. 

If you are a member of the CSJ, you are able to borrow any titles from the library for up to 3 weeks. If you don't live close to London, don't worry - we can send things to you. Just get in touch and we'll be happy to help.

To access our search catalogue, click here. 

Some recent additions to our collection:

Hayes, John. Walking the Camino dos Faros. The way of the lighthouses on Spain’s Galician coast. 2019

This is a guidebook to walking the Camino dos Faros, the way of the lighthouses, along the Galician coast in northwest Spain. This coastline has been known as the Costa da Morte  on account of the many shipwrecks that have occurred over the centuries. The 200km route between Malpica and Finisterre is described across 8 stages of between 17 and 29km and takes in some of the area's most wild and enchanting coastal scenery. Like most coastal paths, it  incorporates some challenging walking up and down cliffs and rivers and sadly, as yet has almost no albergues.

Jusino, Beth.  Walking to the end of the world; a thousand miles on the Camino de Santiago.2018

This personal account of walking the Camino from Le Puy to Finisterre is written by Beth Justino, an award winning writer, teacher and publishing consultant. She is a good story teller and her account is interwoven by humour as she recounts her pilgrim experiences, along with the joys and travails.

Marriott, Stephen R. Santiago’s guitar; Book 2 of the reluctant pilgrim. Kill your dreams or keep walking. 2019

The story of self discovery by walking the Camino is based around a young man’s decision to do so following the death of his father. En route, he is challenged by the idea of fulfilling a dream to become a flamenco guitarist but battles with the uncertainties that this will entail as against the “comfort” of returning to his own quiet home village on the Camino. His story, underlain by his passion for flamenco,  includes accounts of the people he meets.

Mayhew-Smith, Nick and Hayward. Guy  Britain’s pilgrim places.2020

This is a beautifully produced, comprehensive 607 (!) page guide to Britain’s pilgrim ways and includes fascinating information about ancient abbeys, shrines and monuments as well as providing factual information such as directions and GPS coordinates for planning pilgrimages. The motto of the British Pilgrimage Trust is “bring your own beliefs” and the survey reflects this notion of “non-specific” pilgrimage, in other words, not only Christian pilgrimage. A wonderful read, but not a book to carry with you!

Noriega, Rudy.  Yellow arrow fever; the grumpy pilgrim’s guide to Santiago. 2017

Hoping to improve his command of Spanish as an Anglo-Hispanic, Rudy Noriega sets off on the Camino. This personal account includes stories of his both helpful and hindering fellow pilgrims, his attempts to avoid spirituality  as well as his rediscovery of childhood memories. Grumpy, he ends up being grateful for the indispensable support of friends.