One of the more gentle amusements of the Camino is how certain pilgrims from our path’s past tend to resurface sporadically at seemingly random way-stations, and such was the case tonight with Pascal – a n overtly gruff fellow whose similarly-soft interior was not nearly as deeply buried under his callous tone and stern scowl […]
There was one particular hospitalera (I don’t think I ever caught her name) who was especially appreciative of my Walk and my personal devotion thereto, and she ended up inviting me down into the lower enclaves of the hostel, where I was allowed to send a few prayers of humble gratitude skyward from the nuns’ […]
I woke very early this morning (the usual on this Walk) and went down to enjoy a solitudinous early breakfast – sitting alone at the long dining hall table with only my cereal for company. I packed up smoothly, offered a fond farewell to that morning’s hospitaleras, and headed back out onto The Way – […]
It was hard to notice upon arriving in town last night (partly due to the gathering gloom, partly due to the sloping landscape, and mostly due to my fixation on “making it” to that night’s place of rest) and yet it turned out that Lectoure was a partially walled city that rested upon a relatively […]
The Path is difficult again this morning – with thick wet mud coating its center and thick stinging nettles lining its sides … “This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little […]
Persistence is ever effective when treading through times of trial or difficulty, and humble acceptance (if not outright appreciation*) is even more effective still. And so it was for me on this day – with no sooner me choosing to stride gratefully through the mud than that same muck gave way to drier, smoother conditions […]
The walking was delightfully smooth this morning all the way to town of Marsolan, where I paused in smile-laden solitude for awhile within the peaceful confines of the local church … “Oh sister Peace, I’m building my road to you. You may be stunning and far and unreachable. And yet I have faith that you’ […]
“All roads were one, surely, even if their textures dramatically differed. And he was just as seemingly varied from those he encountered, and yet was bound to them all just the same. In truth he often felt, especially early in his mornings – when the world seemed most transparent and far more malleable, that he […]
It was shortly thereafter that I came upon fellow pilgrim Samuel (with whom I had shared time at Le Par Chemin, and who had been walking just ahead of me for the past several days). A relatively reticent fellow, Samuel was gracious enough to allow me to walk & talk with him aways that day […]
There is so much to be said – and so much that can never be effectively uttered – about the not-so-subtle Beauty & Soul-soaking Peace that emanates from many a garden courtyard … This place, this sanctuary, that we call home should be a place that makes us feel joyful, safe, and at peace. Let […]
The Collegiale de St. Pierre’s cathedral was truly a magnificent (and magnificently calming) work of architecture, with some of its specific symbolism (including the highly unusual icon of Jesus being held by his earthly “father” Joseph, instead of his usual and more-mystical carrier — his mother Mary) being just as remarkable as its overall ambience […]
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