What is the credential?
In olden days pilgrims set off on pilgrimages with a letter from the parish priest or the bishop confirming their intention to complete a given walk.

Today this letter is replaced by the Credential, which, as regards the Way of St. James, la Francigena and the one to reach Jerusalem, the various national confraternities of Santiago or the associations of “amici del cammino” distribute to those who request it, possibly by talking in person or via email or by phone to the future pilgrim.

In Italy the Credential for these walks is distributed by the Confraternita di Santiago di Compostella, which has its headquarters in Perugia.
On the Way of St. James the Credential serves as a “pilgrim's passport”, and by using it you can gain access to the hostels and the long row of stamps then enables you to be awarded the well deserved Compostela, the document issued by the Cathedral of Santiago confirming completion of the pilgrimage.
However, the Credential does not have the value of an identification document, such as an identity card for example, and the issuer assumes no responsibility as regards the behaviour of the pilgrim concerned, just as a town hall that issues an identity card takes no responsibility for the morality or public spirit of its citizens.
How and where to obtain it
The Credential, for the Franciscan Route and the "con le ali ai piedi" [with wings on the feet] walk, as well as for the Way of St. Benedict, is issued by the association "amici del cammino di qui passò Francesco". To receive it, phone or send an application by email.

How and where to obtain it.
The Credential, for the Franciscan Route and the "con le ali ai piedi" [with wings on the feet] walk, as well as for the Way of St. Benedict, is issued by the association "amici del cammino di qui passò Francesco". To receive it, phone or send an application by email

WARNING,
in the written application, please specify:

1. Name and surname of the pilgrim concerned.
2. Postal address to send the envelope containing the credential to.
3. Indicate which route you intend to walk
   - The Way of St. Francis (La Verna - Poggio Bustone)
   - Con le ali ai piedi [With Wings on the Feet] (Rieti - Monte Sant'Angelo)
4. If you are thinking of walking them both.
5. If you are thinking of walking the route "Con le ali ai piedi" (guide by the same author which for now is only available in Italian) in the future.
6. If you want the Credential for the “Way of St. Benedict” (Norcia - Montecassino)(Guide to the walk by Simone Frignani, only in Italian).

The Franciscan Credential is not technically necessary in order to be entitled to accommodation, although the status of "pilgrim" does give the entitlement to special rates at approved accommodation facilities.
It is therefore a distinguishing sign, a record, a way of enjoying the route walked, accompanied by stamps, a beautiful memento to keep and treasure.

Now it is also a method of making the Way well known in the territory it goes through, enabling parishes, convents, municipalities, local authorities, etc. to become aware that the “people with big backpacks” who refuse to take the train or the coach, who even walk in the rain and prefer paths to “convenient” asphalted roads, are not a rather crazy bunch who love discomfort, but rather are people with an aim, an idea in their heads, an aspiration, a Search.

The credential has a small cost involved, both for printing it and for sending it, and in order to be able to make this an independent service and to favour other initiatives associated with this Way that come about with time, we ask for a contribution, which is at pilgrims’ discretion and based on what they can afford.
This is also a way to feel a part of this project.