In Simplicitate Cordis

 Today we spent the day in Fatima, my seocnd time here! It was within this shrine that Our Lady appeared to three children:  Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco in 1917.  During her vistis, Mary revealed three secrets to the children in order that they could share them with the world and convert hearts back to Jesus. In 1928, construction began on the basilica and was finished in 1954.  The way of the cross is on the fields where the children were working when the angel appeared to them...that all happened in 1916, the year before Our Lady came The children are buried in the main church - so beautiful We had Mass on the apparition site.   I love it here! 

We are at the destination!!!!! What an amazing camino here, but now ... we're here! Of course, St James the Greater is buried here at this church -- and the church was completed in 1211. Pilgrims traditionally line up and go to venerate the relics of St James and then hug his statue--all of which is in the high altar. No photos are allowed in that part sadly - but it was quite moving! The shell is the image of the camino, and as you can see, it is even etched in the walls of the cathedral. Why?  There are all the lines leading to the same spot where you hold it is one reason, but another is that the shell is the symbol of baptism St James literally obeyed Jesus when he said in Mark 15:16:  "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news" Matthew 28:19:  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit St James the Great was intent on going to the whole world So on his way, he started churches ...

October 1, 2024 Today we went from Arca to Santiago...about 12 miles. This is our last day of walking...so a little sad!  I do think if I had all the time in the world I might just do the full 500 miles.  But I doubt that will come to pass....though one never knows. A lot of folks came into my path today. I found myself going from table to table at the rest stops and that was very fun.  But then there was a bit of time to just walk with God It was raining most of the day I reflected on the camino and what it means for celibacy.  You see - I had decided to wear the cassock each day.  A lot of people told me I was the only priest they saw, and then I told them the'yd be seeing Fr Matthew soon enough.  But there we were on this route. Some of our group walked alone and some with others - and I sort of did both.  I'd walk with some folks fro our group until, well, something came up and then I'd start out on my own until I ran into someone or vice versa....