10/4/2019, 09:00:
Today is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, who, 805 years ago, walked the very same Camino that we are walking today. I was reminded of that fact as I prayed the concluding prayer in Morning Prayer while literally walking in his footsteps along the Way:
Father, you helped Saint Francis to reflect the image of Christ through a life of poverty and humility.
May we follow your Son by walking in the footsteps of Francis of Assisi, and by imitating his joyful love.
AMEN!
10/4/2019, 15:00:
Over the last few days, Fr. Tony and I have had an ongoing conversation with Tony (Canada) about the definition of a real pilgrim, including the question of whether skipping over some sections of the Camino Frances by train, bus or taxi, due to time constraints or other reasons, would be contrary to one’s role as a pilgrim. We concluded that it would NOT affect one’s role because each of us, peregrinos all, are on a journey, in life as well as on the Camino. None of us can judge the quality of another’s pilgrimage; we simply need to be there to listen to and support our fellow pilgrims as they continue their pilgrimage.
This conversation brought to mind the contents of a paper that I was given by a religious sister at Iglesia de San Estaban in Zabaldika which we visited earlier in the week. I would now like to share another’s thoughts on the Camino:
El Camino
The journey makes you a pilgrim. Because the way to Santiago de Compostela is not simply a track to be walked to get somewhere, nor is it a test to achieve a reward. El Camino de Santiago is a parable and a reality at the same time, because it is experienced both inside and outside the individual in the specific time that it takes to walk each daily stage, and along your entire life if only you allow the Camino to inhabit you, to transform you and to make you a pilgrim.
The Camino makes you simpler because the lighter the backpack the less strain to your back and the more you will become aware of how few “things” you need to live.
The Camino makes you brother and sister. Whatever you have you must be ready to share because even if you started on your own, you will meet fellow pilgrims. The Camino breeds community: Community that greets the other, that takes an interest in how the walk is going for the other, that talks and shares with the other.
The Camino makes demands of you. You must get up even before the sunrise in spite of tiredness or blisters; you must walk in the darkness of night while dawn is growing, you must just get the rest that will keep you going.
The Camino calls you to contemplate, to be amazed, to welcome, to interiorize, to stop, to be quiet, to listen, to admire, to bless:
- Nature
- Our companions on the journey
- Our own selves
- God.
Jim Olshefski
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