Camino
Monday 14th October, 2019.
"Pilgrimages have always been a significant part of the life of the faithful, assuming different cultural forms in different ages. A pilgrimage evokes the believer's personal journey in the footsteps of the Redeemer: it is an exercise of practical asceticism, of repentance for human weaknesses, of constant vigilance over one's own frailty, of interior preparation for a change of heart." (Pope John Paul II Incarnationis Mysterium #8). From Fr Michael's daily reflections.
The final day.
The last day's walk was from Amenal to our final destination Santiago de Compostela. I had achieved my goal of walking 100kms, and was still feeling quite shattered from the day before, so decided to do a part of the day on the bus. The only way to do this would be to take the bus to Monte de Gozo, the only check point for the day, as Val wanted us all to walk into Santiago together. I felt a bit guilty as this meant taking the bus for 12kms and just waltzing in, nice and fresh, for the last 5kms.
The three "buddies" (Veronica, Irene and Jan) waiting to board the bus in Almena. Michael had asked us to have one or two buddies to check on to make sure we didn't get lost. You'll notice I couldn't even drag myself to my feet for the photo. Pat, who took the photo, pointed out that we each had an angel over our heads.
I have to admit that I did enjoy being warm, dry and still in the bus waiting for the others to arrive at Monet do Gozo watching other sodden pilgrims trudging past. But I did feel guilty when our lot arrived - apparently it had rained torrentially along the way, with some very steep sections. They all arrived drenched.
This is our driver Alvaro. (He is nice and dry because he has been in the bus too.) Alvaro has guided our bus through the narrowest of villages, looked after our luggage, adjusted my (Helen's) hiking poles and showed me how to make my poncho into a waterproof cover for my backpack. He was also there to check us off (by number, as that was easier for him than by name) when we arrived at each check point. Alvaro was a very welcome sight as we arrived at each of our goals.
Beside the Pilgrims' Monument by Candido Pazos, erected in 2004 at Monte do Gozo. At the base is a circular path formed by stones from the most significant villages through which the Camino de Santiago passes. From the top of this hill you can see the spires of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, our final destination, but I didn't know this at the time.
(Waterproof boot covers courtesy of Pat.)
We celebrated Mass in this simple little chapel at Monte do Gozo. Everyone who had walked was wet, and many didn't have time to change.
Inside the chapel.
I'm not sure who this saint is, but owing to the boots he is holding, he obviously has a soft spot for pilgrims.
Michael's clothes and shoes were sodden, so he quickly changed into dry clothes and dry socks lent by Pearl to preside at Mass. He assured us that these were not his pyjamas but his surf shorts.
After Mass, we walked into the city together. Santiago, we have arrived!
We stopped at a restaurant in the San Lorenzo area of Santiago and had a magnificent Spanish lunch. When we tried to leave, Santiago put on something like a mini tornado for us, so we had ponchos flying every which way and rain driving at us horizontally. We prudently returned to the restaurant until it had passed.
Poor Val, keeping us together was something like herding cats.
My first view of the Cathedral.
At last! There we were, in the famous Obradoiro Square, in front of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Amazingly, the clouds rolled away, and the sun came out. Everyone hugged everyone else - it was a very emotional moment.
Pictures of our group taken by other people in the crowd:
Although the Cathedral is currently undergoing repairs, we were able to go up behind the statue of St James and touch it. According to tradition, this is where the remains of Jesus' apostle St James are buried, and why this pilgrimage was established in the 9th century.
Normally, a pilgrims' Mass is held here every day at noon, but because of the repairs being made to the Cathedral, our pilgrims' Mass will be held tomorrow at the nearby St Francis Church.
Delightful to go to our very pleasant hotel, enjoy a wonderful dinner, reflect on everything that has happened so far, and not have to get up early in the morning.
Monday 14th October, 2019.
"Pilgrimages have always been a significant part of the life of the faithful, assuming different cultural forms in different ages. A pilgrimage evokes the believer's personal journey in the footsteps of the Redeemer: it is an exercise of practical asceticism, of repentance for human weaknesses, of constant vigilance over one's own frailty, of interior preparation for a change of heart." (Pope John Paul II Incarnationis Mysterium #8). From Fr Michael's daily reflections.
The final day.
The last day's walk was from Amenal to our final destination Santiago de Compostela. I had achieved my goal of walking 100kms, and was still feeling quite shattered from the day before, so decided to do a part of the day on the bus. The only way to do this would be to take the bus to Monte de Gozo, the only check point for the day, as Val wanted us all to walk into Santiago together. I felt a bit guilty as this meant taking the bus for 12kms and just waltzing in, nice and fresh, for the last 5kms.
I have to admit that I did enjoy being warm, dry and still in the bus waiting for the others to arrive at Monet do Gozo watching other sodden pilgrims trudging past. But I did feel guilty when our lot arrived - apparently it had rained torrentially along the way, with some very steep sections. They all arrived drenched.
Beside the Pilgrims' Monument by Candido Pazos, erected in 2004 at Monte do Gozo. At the base is a circular path formed by stones from the most significant villages through which the Camino de Santiago passes. From the top of this hill you can see the spires of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, our final destination, but I didn't know this at the time.
(Waterproof boot covers courtesy of Pat.)
We celebrated Mass in this simple little chapel at Monte do Gozo. Everyone who had walked was wet, and many didn't have time to change.
Inside the chapel.
I'm not sure who this saint is, but owing to the boots he is holding, he obviously has a soft spot for pilgrims.
Michael's clothes and shoes were sodden, so he quickly changed into dry clothes and dry socks lent by Pearl to preside at Mass. He assured us that these were not his pyjamas but his surf shorts.
We stopped at a restaurant in the San Lorenzo area of Santiago and had a magnificent Spanish lunch. When we tried to leave, Santiago put on something like a mini tornado for us, so we had ponchos flying every which way and rain driving at us horizontally. We prudently returned to the restaurant until it had passed.
Poor Val, keeping us together was something like herding cats.
My first view of the Cathedral.
Pictures of our group taken by other people in the crowd:
Although the Cathedral is currently undergoing repairs, we were able to go up behind the statue of St James and touch it. According to tradition, this is where the remains of Jesus' apostle St James are buried, and why this pilgrimage was established in the 9th century.
Normally, a pilgrims' Mass is held here every day at noon, but because of the repairs being made to the Cathedral, our pilgrims' Mass will be held tomorrow at the nearby St Francis Church.
Delightful to go to our very pleasant hotel, enjoy a wonderful dinner, reflect on everything that has happened so far, and not have to get up early in the morning.
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