Journey to You: A New Hallmark Movie, PLUS a Journal Giveaway!

Karen Estep reviews a new Hallmark Channel movie about one pilgrim's journey to surrender, building relationships, and discovery while walking the Camino.  

“It’s not about carrying less, it’s about not carrying it alone.” 

Journey to You starts off with a glimpse into Monica Miller’s (played by Erin Cahill) life. Monica is an incredibly busy ER nurse and so dedicated to her job that she has not taken a day off in four years! She is certain that the ER cannot properly run without her, and because she has not taken any of her vacation days she is also certain that her dedication will get her noticed for a big promotion. Sadly, due to Monica’s desire to be in ultimate control, the promotion passes her by — and she is left to figure out why. 

While out to lunch with Monica, her mom suggests that she go to Spain to travel the Camino. The backstory is that Monica’s mom and dad met while traveling the Camino. It was a beautiful journey for both of them spiritually and romantically. Despite some hesitation, Monica agrees that she needs to try walking the Camino.  

When Monica arrives at the Camino, she quickly learns that the type of control she's used to keep the ER running like a tight ship is just not the way things are done in Spain, or even close to how it is done on the Camino. In her group she has her guide, Consuelo, and a family that consists of a grandfather (Ernesto), father (Luis), and teenage son (Mateo). Monica has to painstakingly teach herself how to slow down and even at times ask for help, not only for her sake but for the sake of the group she is traveling with.  

 While traveling on the Camino, Monica carries a devotional journal her father had given her as a present before he passed away. The focus of one of the reflections was how sometimes we don’t need to carry less when we ask God for help, we just need to realize that He is also carrying it with us. The same thing is true for Monica both as she walks the Camino and in her spiritual life. 

“I just need to keep walking, step by step, knowing I will never be alone.” 

Through twists and turns, literally and spiritually, and a pretty cute love story, Journey to You is more than just your average Hallmark movie. The plot really focuses on the characters’ relationships with God, their relationships with each other, and their own personal struggles. At times you can see each character struggle with seeking God while on the Camino.

Ernesto, Luis, and Mateo represent three different generations and cultures, all trying to relearn how to connect with each other. Luis struggles with being the best dad he can be to Mateo and Monica has to learn to surrender herself to God’s will. However, they all learn through time on the Camino that as long as they keep seeking God, no matter how far and wide they walk, whether on the Camino or not, they will never walk alone.  

“Vámonos, vale!” 

My favorite parts of this movie were the small touches of Spanish culture interwoven throughout the scenes and script. While in my junior and senior years of high school I was in a pretty intensive Spanish class. We focused a lot on cultural elements of Spain because our teacher took a yearly trip to Spain with her students. I fell in love with learning these little nuances and was so excited to recognize some of these in Journey to You.

Often in Spain you will hear Spaniards say “Vale”; it’s kind of like “OK” in the United States. You could hear this in the script in a few places. This lets me know that the script writers, actors, and directors really wanted to make this movie not only cute and inspiring, but also authentic.  

I also love how Journey to You showed that the Camino isn’t just a walk but a true pilgrimage for Christians. Throughout the movie, the group stops to talk about God moving in their lives. There is also a scene when the characters get about halfway through the Camino and leave something behind at Cruz de Ferro. This really happens for pilgrims on the Camino. You are asked to give up spiritual burdens that you are carrying and place them at the foot of a cross. I love these little nods to the actual Camino.  

“The Camino gives each person what they need” 

I won’t write any spoilers because this film is truly one that I think you will enjoy watching. All in all, Journey to You made me realize that I am a lot like Monica in many ways. I want to be in control in all ways. However, I need to surrender that control back to God. As Monica walks the Camino and spends time with God by prayer and working through her devotional journal, she realizes that she does not always have to be in control. She can slow down and ask for help, she can turn to God.

The Camino gave Monica exactly what she needed. Watching stories like Journey to You helps me realize that I don’t have to book a flight to Spain (though that would be awesome!) to have my own spiritual Camino every day. Just like Monica learns along her Camino, we also can learn that we need to let go and let God, vale?  

When and Where to Watch This Movie

Journey to You premieres on the Hallmark Channel Saturday, April 19 at 8 PM Eastern. Visit HallmarkChannel.com for more information and additional showtimes.

Enter our Giveaway!

We have five of these beautiful journals (the same one featured in the movie!) to give away to Catholic Mom readers around the world! To enter to win a journal, leave a comment answering this question:

Where would you most like to go on a pilgrimage?

We'll choose five winners on Friday, April 11. Winners will be notified by email and will have until 8 AM Eastern on Monday, April 14, 2025 to claim their prize. Unclaimed prizes will be awarded to alternate winners. Prizes will be shipped directly to winners by the prize sponsor.

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Copyright 2025 Karen Estep
Images: copyright 2025 The Hallmark Channel, all rights reserved.