Pilgrim's Passport - St. Olav's passport

The tradition of the pilgrim`s pass comes from the Middle Ages. The pass was to prove that the bearer was a genuine pilgrim when he⁄she arrived as a stranger. This tradition of the pilgrim`s passport has been updated and the pilgrim can use it as a record of his⁄her pilgrimage with stamps from places along the way. If you have walked the last 100 kms to Nidaros you are obliged to the pilgrims certificate or the 'Olavs document'. The text in the pass is written in Norwegian and English.

Along the St. Olav Ways there are not so many places that can provide stamps, and even fewer that have stamps related to the pilgrim tradition. In churches and municipalities there will be possible to get stamps if they are open when you arrive. In places where a stamp is not available you can ask the warden to sign, or note place and date yourself. In this way the pilgrim record may function as intended. By requesting stamps there is a hope that more providers will acquire their own stamp. 'Trondheim Stempelfabrikk' has made a design for that.

The pass is in the same format as the well known notebook "Moleskine Pocket" 9 x 14cm. Used by hikers⁄walkers⁄backpackers the world over. www.moleskine.co.uk

Trondheim: Pilgrimspriest, Nidaros Pilgrim Centre, Kjøpmannsgt. 1, 7013 Trondheim. Tel: +47 73 52 50 00.

Oslo: Oslo Bispedømmekontor, Secretary Målfrid Toft. E–post: maalfrid.toft@kirken.no Tel: +47 23 30 11 60.

Oslo: Domkirken in Oslo, Domprost (Dean) Olav Dag Hauge. Karl Johan Gate 11, 0154 Oslo.

Tel: 23 31 46 00. Ask for the "Kirkevakt" (verger⁄church caretaker)

Oslo: Pilgrims office, Eivind Luthen, Kirkegata 34 A, 0153 Oslo

Tel: 22 33 03 11

Øyer: The vicar of Øyer, Øyvind Sagedal, Prestegardsvegen 11, 2636 Øyer.

Tel: 61 27 84 20 or  95 02 38 48

Trysil: Kirkekontoret (church office) in Trysil (Apply to Kirkeverge⁄the caretaker) Tor Brovoll, Liavegen 25, 2420 Trysil.

Tel: 62 45 13 84

The endorsment of the passport may of course be done where it is most convenient, at your home place or at the starting point for the pilgrimage.

An unendorsed pass can be ordered from the Pilgrim Office in Trondheim. Price Kr 30 including packing and postage.

A pilgrim`s passport is a precious souvenir for many people. Behind each stamp is a story from the journey! But to get your pilgrim's pass stamped on the way can sometimes be a challenge! Sometimes the parish office is closed, at other times they don`t have the stamp. But stamps or endorsements from lodgings, cafes and petrol stations can also be useful. A good principle is to get a stamp or endorsement at every lodging you visit. It is hoped to produce a stamp which can be used by those offering services along the way.

The Pilgrim's Passport is a part of the nordic cooperation on the St. Olav Ways to Nidaros.

Questions about the Pass can be sent to the editor eiler(at)pilegrim.info (insert @)