El Camino - The Way #32

Good morning - praying that this day finds you in good spirits - this day on pilgrimage we walked along the highway - flat surface - we learned that the dirt path was more comfortable for the feet - more cushion on soil.  This day more incline - again heading up the mountain.  Another pilgrim ahead on the left - we are not alone - Jesus always next to us.  Our goal today O'Cebreiro - site of a Eucharistic miracle.

Further along rocky mountain side - another babbling stream of 

water - making this section peaceful 

Warning sign - steep incline - slow our pace - conserve energy

By now in Lent many trying desperately to catch up - better to rest in the Lord

Pilgrims ahead approaching another albergue & food 

Approaching the Galicia region - leaving brown behind - much greener - more rain 

Just ahead a very challenging uphill through the mountains to O'Cebreiro

At this point we needed to take a break - we had completed 20 kilometers by 11:30 and were feeling good but not looking forward to the last 10 kilometers - the steep incline promised to be more than we should attempt - what to do? As we were walking we came to a cafe and on its awning it said - food - drink - taxi. Yes - we asked for all three and the young lady behind the counter provided all three. We had to wait for forty-five minutes - but in the end we arrived in O'Cebreiro - still alive and breathing!

Father Don Elias Valina Sampedro 

The Camino de Santiago is thousands of years old - from the time of Saint James. Christianity had been spreading throughout the world. The Apostles were very active in traveling to the known world spreading the Gospel. Saint James had focused on Spain and made multiple trips to Spain. Over that time of thousands of years - with growth and development - the original Camino trail has been modified. At one point it had fallen into a sad state because of robbers focusing on pilgrims - robbing them of their money - clothes - even killing some. That was what the Knights Templars were doing - protecting pilgrims as they walked.

Father Sampedo renovated the Camino - He is the one who came up with the yellow arrows painted on roads - buildings - to help pilgrims avoid getting lost - following safe paths - in the late 60s others helped to renew interest in the Camino - approximately a quarter of a million pilgrims from around the world walk this Camino these days.

Father Sampedro buried inside  the church floor 

Statue of Saint Francis - church maintained by Franciscans 

Adoration Chapel

One of the attractions to O'Cebreiro is Iglesia de Santa Maria Real - one of the earliest surviving buildings on the Camino de Santiago - dating from the 9th century and associated with the Pilgrim Way. On display and venerated by pilgrims is the chalice and paten associated with the miracle of O'Cebreiro Santo Milagro - in which an arrogant celebrant of Holy Mass - dismissive of a devout and humble peasant - saw the bread and wine turn into the body and blood of Christ as he offered them to the peasant who had risked life and limb to attend Holy Mass in a terrible snowstorm.  The priest thought - why am I here for this single person - who showed up in this storm and made me celebrate Mass - the priest got his answer when the bread and wine were transformed into flesh & blood before his eyes. Often in Lent we ask ourselves the same question - why am I here - why am I doing this - what is the reason - we wait - in expectant faith for the answer. 

Evening Holy Mass - 5:00 PM 

Followed by a pilgrim's dinner - then blogging about the day's events 

View from the top - very impressive - major tourist attraction 

Lots of people here - pilgrims on foot - many tourists in cars - vacationers

Food - drink - dinner - bed 

Another Camino day - a lot of walking - making it to our final destination - 151 Kilometers to Santiago - we are in good shape. Tomorrow - another day - another adventure 

Thank you Lord

Deacon Dale

El Camino - The Way #31

Another sunny morning - best way to wake up each morning - even when overcast - thanking God for another day of life - starting our day with a positive attitude. If yesterday did not go as expected - another chance to get it right - new days - new opportunities. This day on Camino on our way out of Ponferrada - decided to investigate the Knights Templar Castle a 12th century structure.  It was early - so doors locked but we browsed outside for a bit.  Very often in Lent  many lurk outside - watching what others do - how they do it - our time spent with Jesus - observed by some - hopefully encouraging them to do likewise. 

Knock Knock - Anyone home - nope 

Lots of stone - pretty much what you would expect 

The Knights Templar were a Catholic military order founded in 1119, headquartered on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The order was active until 1312 when it was perpetually suppressed. The Templars became a favored charity throughout Christendom - and grew rapidly in membership and power. They were prominent in Christian finance. Templar knights, in their distinctive white Mantles with a red cross - were amongst the most skilled fighting units of the Crusades - non-combatant members of the order - made up as much as 90% of their members The Templars were closely tied to the Crusades - when the Holy Land was lost support for the order faded.  Rumors about the Templars' secret initiation ceremony created distrust and King Phillip IV of France took advantage of this distrust to destroy them and was able to convince Pope Clement V to disband the order.  A warning to all who come in power - when they abuse that power.  In Lent we ask - when have I taken advantage of a situation that benefited only myself - not others.  Time for confession - Lord have Mercy on me - a sinner. 

Our next destination of Villafrance Del Bierzo - wandering through this village - a medieval town with buildings and bridges that testify to its authenticity. 

End of bridge - pilgrim statue with walking staff & cross

Renovated bridge with Camino shell 

Wandering through the village - lost in prayer 

Village built on the mountains 

Time for vino tinto y vino blanco y tapas

Auberge de la Piedra

Built in 2008 by a husband and wife team - built into the mountain side

Notice the wall built around the natural rock mountain side - keeping it real  

Our room with twin metal bunk beds

Shared with a young couple just starting their Camino - Beatriz and Jorge - only had one week to walk the last 100Km of the Camino - Met up with them two days later - Jorge was following my blog - wanted to know how I knew the correct spelling of his name when cousins and classmates could never get it correct

Festival 

The village was noisy at night due to a local festival  - did not disrupt our Camino - we had slept through worse.  Those who live along the Camino tend to sleep late - stay up routinely past midnight - eating - drinking - singing below your windows.  Despite any interruptions during Lent - always time for prayer - even if late at night before you fall asleep - quality - not quantity.

Deacon Dale

El Camino - The Way #30

Good morning pilgrims!  May this day be blessed - Leaving town we passed a monument to a pilgrim who died while biking the Camino - used his bike - said a prayer and started the morning

The down hill path continues before us - slippery shale even when dry - worse when wet 

The paths we walk - all have their ups and downs 

Uneven paths were very frequent along the Camino - only 20 percent of the Camino trail is on black top - the remainder paths like this - we are in the mountains - remember?

Careful Arlene you can do this - this downhill a bit harder  - again and again

thankful for trekking poles

Molinaseca  - back on flat ground 

Welcomed to town with a crucifix - the sign of Hope 

We are here - another small town - many on today's trek 

In God's eyes - we are all sheep looking for a leader - for us His name is Jesus 

Ponferrada - larger city - more to offer 

Knights Templar Castle 

Entrance to the largest alburgue we stayed at - 300 bunks 

Pilgrims soaking  their feet in the entrance fountain - seen frequently

Large amount of bikes at this alburgue - most we saw at one time in one place

Chapel at the alburgue - prayers - reflection 

It all started with one man - He had a dream - a dream that people could live and work together for the common good - that each person would be given the same respect - and in return show that same respect - that the color of one's skin or eyes - or the language that rolled off their tongue - or the food they ate - would make no difference - would cause no judgement - would not diminish the value of one's life. That man was - Jesus Christ - the Dalai Lama - Buddha - Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. - and many others. Throughout the world - peoples of all beliefs - and even those with no beliefs - have placed their trusts in their fellow man. For Christians - Jesus of Nazareth - was that man - for Saint James - Jesus was His Lord - for each of us who walks this Camino - to venerate the bones of Saint James at Santiago de Compostela - Jesus is the guide that calls us - as individuals - to become seekers - to seek Him - to seek His peace - to seek His answers - to all our life's questions.

In this Holy season of Lent - we the faithful - come seeking Jesus - just as people have done for centuries.  We all walk a different path - even when Arlene and I were walking the Camino - many hours praying together - still some hours apart - always close to each other - but allowed space for personal time - personal prayers - personal thoughts.  In this Lenten season each of us - need both community - private time - to pray - meditate - reflect - linger with Jesus. The beauty of this time that we all share together - Jesus is with each of us - no matter where we are - no matter what prayers we speak - don't speak - in Lent - we immerse ourselves in His Love - Forgiveness - Peace.  This journey continues. 

Deacon Dale 

El Camino - The Way #29

Another beautiful sunny morning - except for our very last day in Spain - no rain - mornings always cool --needed to wear our lightweight "puffy" jacket for the first hour - then put in our pack and walked in our short sleeves and shorts until quitting time - as we journey this Lent - always important that we are comfortable as we sit and read our bibles - say prayers - sit in adoration.  Removing distractions goes well for any spiritual exercise that we engage in.

Today our focus - the Cruz de Ferro - we walk through the small town of Foncebadon - it is interesting that as you approach a town you see a sign as above - when you exit that town you will see the same sign with a red line drawn through the name indicating you have left that town. On any pilgrimage - walking or virtual at home - in church - nice to know if you are entering or leaving. 

The approach to the Cruz de Ferro is a slight uphill - heading to the highest point on the Camino Frances - a comfortable walk - considering the heat and constant sun 

The Cruz de Ferro - Iron Cross - basically an iron cross on top of a 5 meter (16 1/2 feet) post in the ground. The hill surrounding the base is made up of small stones left by pilgrims. Some historians believe that it was a place used by the Celts even in pre-Christian times and that it was a part of an unknown ritual, while others believe that the ancient Romans used it to mark a border between two territories. Speculations abound, but the most popular belief is that the cross was put there by the Apostle James himself. As the tale goes - Saint James was passing through the land on one of his evangelical missions -  when he encountered pagan priests who were performing a ritual that involved human sacrifice. Full of righteous anger - he grabbed a stone from his pocket and threw it at the pagan altar. Guided by the Lord - the stone shattered the altar into a thousand tiny pieces - Saint James erected a large cross in its place to mark the power of the Almighty.

Regardless of what the actual truth is - Cruz de Ferro is beautiful to behold and climbing to the top of the hill will allow you to take in your surroundings from a different perspective.  One of the best things about the Iron Cross is that it allows you to partake in a very old - freeing tradition. When you approach it - you’ll see that it’s surrounded by small rocks of all shapes and sizes  - rocks carried from home by thousands of pilgrims - representing their own burdens - left at the foot of the Cross.  

Arlene leaving her rock - saying her prayers - Jesus I Trust in You

My turn next 

Photo to remind us of the prayers said - rocks left at Cross

Pilgrim Timeline info about the cross

Bus tours brings thousands of tourists to the Iron Cross 

Peregrina walking with a very tall priest in cassock 

Popular albergue at Manjarin

Note distance signs to places around the world 

So we met up with some horned cows - Arlene made a mad dash up the hill - harmless cow - not a bull - had wandered through a hole in the fence - told her to get back where she belonged - and she did!  Once she did - Arlene came down - we continued on

From The Iron Cross it was downhill on not a very friendly path - look a town ahead 

In town back on flat pavement

There are three types of alburgues

Privately owned - set fees - the most amenities - bed/shower/pools/kitchens - average €15

Public - owned by the city/village - bed/shower/kitchen - average €6

Donativo - run by churches - bed/shower/kitchen - free will offering €?

Very nice place - gave them what we would have paid at a private albergue

We stayed at the church albergue - told the hostess I'm 68 years and don't like top bunk - she replied I'm 69 - get your a** up there - 4 bunks in this space - shared with a group of Irish brothers who drank their full bottles of wine - enjoyed the loudest snoring ever heard - all night long

At the donativo - everyone had to chip in with preparing dinner - slice & dice - chop - cook - setup plates - one of the best meals we had. We enjoyed a pleasant community dinner tonight prepared by Priscilla from Brazil - - our hostess. Conversation centered on walking rocky paths with Katarina and her mother from Germany - Lucia from Poland - Eduardo from Barcelona - and a young lady from Oregon and her male companion from Denmark - while the gentleman at the next table from Ireland entertained the lady from New Zealand.  Another very interesting international evening.  We did mention that most speak English.  A very good feeling being with strangers with similar interests - similar to times when we attend church programs like Alpha - Jesus with all of us - wherever we might be.

Deacon Dale