Centuries of Christian Pilgrimage Come to Life in Hallmark’s ‘Journey to You’
For centuries, Christians have walked Spain's Camino de Santiago, drawn to its quiet beauty, its history and its traditional ties to the Apostle James. On Saturday, the Hallmark Channel brings the journey to life -- with a touch of romance. The faith-focused film, Journey to You, follows the story of a nurse named Monica (Erin Cahill) who rediscovers her purpose -- and her faith -- on the Camino. The ancient pilgrimage traces its roots to the ninth century, when the remains of the Apostle James were believed to have been discovered in Santiago de Compostela. Since then, millions have walked the Camino's various routes for reflection, renewal and a deeper connection to God.
The Camino stretches several hundred miles and takes several weeks to complete.
Journey to You airs Saturday at 8 p.m. Eastern.
John Eliot Jordan and Carlie Mantilla-Jordan -- a husband and wife team who have collaborated on other Hallmark films -- wrote the script. The idea for the film, he said, was birthed out of a conversation about "pilgrimage, retreat, trust -- kind of stepping away from the busyness of life and what happens and how God speaks to you during that healing."
"We were talking about: How do we set a story that kind of brings romance and this wonderful kind of transformative love that can occur on a pilgrimage?" he said.
Monica joins a group of other travelers on the Camino and is surprised to learn that one of them -- a man her age -- lives in her city back in the U.S.
"A lot of people go on the Camino independently, searching for something, but they always end up meeting friends along the way, and people who end up changing their lives," Mantilla-Jordan told Crosswalk Headlines. "And we thought that was really unique, that they could step outside of their normal circle and create this new community."
It was important that the film portray faith and the Camino authentically, they said.
The Camino is a metaphor "for the spiritual journey," John Eliot Jordan said. He studied theology at Boston College.
"You know, you start off, and there's a lot of ups and downs on this journey," he said. "You're with other people, but in these kind of quiet moments, transformation can occur. You're able to connect in a way that day-to-day life is a little more difficult to do it."
Monica, too, is transformed on the journey. The film, the writers say, reminds viewers that it's never too late to start over in life.
"By the end of Monica's journey, she doesn't have everything figured out, and yet, she's in a place where she has found healing in a deeper way," he said. "And so we want this story to inspire people to know that that's possible."
Photo Credit: ©Hallmark
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published April 16, 2025.
