Day 8: Camino

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.  

Complete strangers opened their entire lives up to me. Marriage problems, family issues, struggles with faith, losses, hurts.  It was a big thing.  I'm not sure I solved any of their things, but it was neat to be there for them and to bring the Lord into their stuff.

I also kept thinking about today's saint, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower, who died at 24 and became a doctor of the church.  She was so simple and never probably sait anything that would "fix people" - but she did a lot of fixing!!

We then all met up three miles outside of Santiago de Compostela and walked togheter into the city and to the church - rosary in hand!




Walking into the church took my breath away!!!!!!!

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