“Ultreia et Suseia” is an original Latin message still present on the Camino de Santiago. Among other pilgrims walking along one of the various Xacobean routes, we can hear two greetings, the most common being “Buen Camino“, as a way of wishing the pilgrim community a good journey. Foreigners also lear this greeting very quickly. The other less known is Ultreia et Suseia. In this Galiwonders post, we will explain the meaning of both terms.
What do the words Ultreia and Suseia mean?
First of all, it is important to keep in mand that on the Camino there is a sense of unity and solidarity among pilgrims. It is important to know that we can communicate a universal message that overcomes language barriers. This allows pilgrims to strengthen the spirit of brotherhood that they breathe on their route and feel part of a community.
This message, less common today, Ultreia or ultreya, is of Latin origin and is a word composed of ultra – beyond – and eia – interaction used to indicate movement. This word represents a real message of encouragement that wants to encourage to move move foward, an incitement to continue to the end. Literally the translation would be, “Go further, hurry up, move further!”, but we can translate it as “Come on, go on to the end, you can do it!”.
Sometimes the Latin phrase “Ultreia et Suseia” can be found.
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This was a kind of automatic conversation between pilgrims who crossed paths in the past. When one greeted with “Ultreia”, the other would answer “et Suseia”. This second Latin word means “higher, above“.
There are experts who considerer that this greeting would indicate that the pilgrims hopen to meet again later, further on, at the end of their journey, that is, at the door of the Cathedral of Santiago. However, if this was not possible, the wish was to meet higher up, that is, in heaven.
There are hypotheses that say that among medieval pilgrims this word was used with the same meaning as “Hallelujah” upon arrival at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Where do the words Ultreia et Suseia come from?
These terms are already mentioned in the Codex Calixtinus (the first guide to the Camino de Santiago! Dating from the 12th century) and can be found in the lyrics of a song, called Ultreia, honoring pilgrims on their way to Santiago.
Similarly, we can find these terms in chapter XXVI of the Book Liturgies:
Now that you know the meaning of thi greeting shared among pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago, you can finally wish those you meet along your route a Good Way and reach the end of their journey, where you vsn meet again: “Ultreia et Suseia”.
We remind you that the Xacobean Holy Year has been extended until the end of 2022 and that it will be a unique event for all pilgrims who want to undertake this journey to Santiago de Compostela. Do not wait too long and book your way along one of the routes to Santiago.
If you want to know our 20 reasons to do the Camino during the Holy Year, don’t miss this post! Don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more and receive your tailor-made itinerary of the Camino de Santiago. At Galiwonders we will be happy to help you create and amazing experience.
