Via Podiensis: Almost to the Beginning

Today the Lord saw fit to begin my pilgrimage with an exercise in humility, patience, and trust. As I write this I am on an air-conditioned train racing the sunset to Le Puy.

I flew standby from Heathrow to Lyon, arriving approximately six hours after I had intended. It was a near thing: I didn’t know I was going to have a seat on the plane until boarding had already started.

French customs and passport control was remarkably efficient, and I was headed to the train station within 30 minutes of landing. I took light rail into the city where I bought new hiking poles before returning to the city train station and catching the train to the town of Saint Etienne. There, I changed trains to the one currently taking me (and at least five French pilgrims) to Le Puy. 

I’ve missed dinner at the seminary I’m staying at, but I’m grateful to be here at all.  

God is good. 

Date: 16 August 2023

Place: en route to Le Puy-en-Velay (Prefecture of Haute-Loire, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France)