The Swansea sixth form student, named locally as Michael Cura, was half-way through a 560-mile cycling challenge to Santiago de Compostela when he died on Thursday evening.
Michael Cura was travelling with fellow pupils and staff from Bishop Vaughan Catholic School from Swansea, Wales.
They had planned to finish the trip in time for the Feast of Saint James on July 25th.
It has been reported that the student's death was not the result of an accident and did not involve any other pupils.
The school said it was "devastated" and the remaining staff and pupils flew home on Saturday.
Parish priest Fr Jason Jones said Michael had been an altar boy at , for around seven years along with his two brothers, and was part of a "very committed" Filipino family.
He said: "He was much loved, much liked, generous with his service and time to the church, but also was a helper with a pilgrimage group which took disadvantaged disabled children, so obviously a big, big heart, understanding of other people's problems."
His parents, who live near the church in Morriston, attended a special mass on Friday before flying out to Spain.
Fr Jones said: "I was with the family last night, it was a very emotional mass but the family have great faith and great support from the parish and the Filipino community."
A statement on the school's website read: "Bishop Vaughan Catholic School has been devastated by the sudden death of a sixth form student whilst participating in a pilgrimage to Spain yesterday.
"The school is supporting the student's family at this extremely difficult time and their thoughts and prayers are with his family and many friends."
