Ruminations of an Amateur Monastic
Although it no longer appears on the Universal (Roman) calendar, today is one of two feasts of Saint Benedict celebrated by Benedictines throughout the world. This is the day in the year 547 when Saint Benedict of Norcia died. Saint Benedict is generally considered the founder of western monasticism, and his Rule spread throughout the west as the Roman Empire […]
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Today is the Feast of Saint James the Greater, known throughout the Spanish-speaking world as Santiago. He was one of Christ’s Twelve Apostles. He is the patron saint of the archdiocese of Seattle, and therefore today is a solemnity within the archdiocese. I am saddened that no Tacoma parish seems to be celebrating an evening Mass for this occasion. James […]
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Over on our Camino Blog, I’m running a series called “Camino Photo of the Day”. Occasionally, I will cross-post these here. This sign is posted in the common room of the Municipal Albergue in Azofra. You will see or hear variations of this phrase all along the Camino. It’s not only a good explanation of the difference between a pilgrim […]
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Over at my Camino blog, I’ve been posting a “Camino photo of the day” since early July. If you haven’t seen them, check them out! Today’s photo and short explanation may be more relevant here than usual. Today’s photo requires some backstory. One year ago today, I sent my application to the Archdiocese of Seattle to discern for the diaconate. […]
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Today is the Feast of Saint James the Greater, known throughout the Spanish-speaking world as Santiago. He was one of Christ’s Twelve Apostles. He is the patron saint of the archdiocese of Seattle, and therefore today is a solemnity within the archdiocese. I am saddened that no Tacoma parish seems to be celebrating an evening Mass for this occasion. Last […]
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Last week, I ran across a quote by a French Catholic author of the last century that really resonated with me. “You understand absolutely nothing about modern civilization unless you first admit that it is a conspiracy against all interior life.” (George Bernanos) Even the very roots of the word “civilization” betray its origin, for it comes from the Latin […]
» Read moreA month ago today, May 2, we arrived in Santiago de Compostela. I still haven’t uploaded all of the photos to Flickr. Perhaps in my head this will be the action that ends the Camino, though it’s long over. I also haven’t finished unpacking, either physically or mentally. (Originally posted to Pilgrims on the Way.)
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It is now eighteen days after our arrival in Santiago. I’ve been back to my previous life and job for two full weeks now. Early on, somebody asked me “how’s re-entry been?” I’m not sure I gave a coherent answer at the time, and I’m not sure I’m going to give one now, either. In short, it’s been difficult. I […]
» Read morePraise God in His angels and in His saints! At about 3:00 PM on the Memorial of Saint Athanasius, the second of May 2016, we arrived at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. On the way in we met Anita, who escorted the three of us – Francine, Rebecca, and myself – to the cathedral Plaza. Afterwards, secured beds […]
» Read moreGalicia has been uncharacteristically cool and sunny, enabling us to do some fairly decent long-distance days. Oh, the forests of Galicia! So beautiful, and so otherworldly. As we came down from crossing our third mountain range, the clouds poured into the valleys below us like the sea lapping on the shore. Stories and poems have tumbled through my head […]
» Read moreOnly 17.5 km today, but the last 8 km included a rough, rocky climb of almost 700 m as we left El Bierzo behind and entered our fourth Spanish kingdom: Galicia. We left early and had our second breakfast in Vega de Valcarce. By the time we stopped for a drink at a funky albergue/bar in La Faba called “El […]
» Read moreAfter Rabanal, we crested the Cordillera Cantábrica at Cruz de Ferro. Traditionally, one leaves a stone at the foot of the cross there. This is the accompanying prayer: Lord, may this stone, a symbol of my efforts on the pilgrimage that I lay at the foot of the cross of the Savior, one day weigh the balance in favor of my […]
» Read moreWe arrived in Rabanal del Camino three years to the day since the last time we were here, though not by any conscious design on our part. We have been walking with a young Dutchman named Stijn, and we ran into our old friend Rebecca again a couple of times during today’s walk. It has become a glorious, sunny afternoon. […]
» Read moreWe are spending the night in Sahagún. For those of you who are fans of “Babylon Five”, this will sound uncomfortably close to “Z’ha’dum“. It was a beautiful day for walking – cool and sunny. A welcome change from the recent weeks. We had our second breakfast at the Albergue Jacques de Molay in the village of Terradillos de Templarios, […]
» Read moreEach day of our pilgrimage, it has pleased God to send us a new trial. If it is not hills to climb, then it is rain. If it is not rain, then mud. If not mud, then a driving wind. Today, it pleased God to send us all of these in succession. To these trials must be added the […]
» Read moreThis morning we arrived in Burgos, and we immediately went to tour the cathedral. What can one say about this magnificent edifice? It is simply one of the marvels of architecture and art. Eventually my photos will load, but this is hampered by lack of wifi and lack of bandwidth. To give a small idea of its splendour, consider this: the […]
» Read moreIt has been several days and 10 journal pages since I last posted. In that time, we’ve walked 64 km. The Camino continues to teach new lessons every day. Here are three. God speaks through whom He will. If necessary, He will send updates and clarifications. Several days ago, an issue with which I have been wrestling was answered by the […]
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