The Way - #4

 El Camino de Santiago de Compostela was the focus of "The Way" - a movie that I viewed  written by Emilio Estevez and starring actor Martin Sheen. It is a moving story of a father and son and of a very special journey. As a deacon whose primary ministry these days is promoting pilgrimages - this movie - opened my eyes to what I would consider one of the ultimate pilgrimage experiences.  While the normal pilgrimages I promote involve traveling to distant lands - Israel and the Holy Land - Poland - Fatima - Lourdes - Italy and The Vatican - involving ten or eleven days - The Way - promotes a walking pilgrimage of some 800 Kilometers (497 miles) that takes anywhere from a minimum of two weeks up to a month or more to complete. It does not feature air-conditioned buses and four-star hotels - rather, gravel paths and inexpensive hostels. It is a pilgrimage walked by some two hundred thousand or so pilgrims yearly - for the past thousand years. It is a journey - not into impressive cathedrals and basilicas - but rather into one's own heart - and the hearts of fellow pilgrims on the way.  It requires special preparation - good hiking boots - stamina - to complete the journey.

Jesus was not unfamiliar with walking - visiting places outside of His home town.  He walked with a purpose - His mission - to spread the Good News to anyone who would listen. He traveled light - He traveled with companions. His walks brought Him to many places and peoples - into the hearts of those who met Him - and even today - into the hearts of people who He never saw. As we walk our own journeys this Lent - we need to walk with intent - with conviction - with honesty - with God. Wherever our travels take us - The Holy Land - The Vatican - The local shopping mall - we walk as modern day disciples - we carry Jesus in our hearts - we share the Good News - we show what modern day disciples look like. May our paths meet one day - on The Way - during this Lenten season. 

Buen Camino 

Deacon Dale 

The Way - #3

 After we made the decision to commit to this walking pilgrimage there was a lot of things that we had to figure out before we even got too deep into this project.  First was a reasonable time line. Our group pilgrimages were normally 10 or 12 days and except for the spiritual things we led - all else was arranged for us by our travel partners. In order for us to plan this pilgrimage just for the two of us to accomplish that - we had to do a lot of research so we knew what we were getting involved with.  Reading books - searching the internet - joining Camino groups to be able to connect with others who had already walked this pilgrimage took up the first few months of research.  We knew that we would have to do some practice walks with whatever equipment we would need. Living in Illinois - we knew  that we would focus on everything but actual walking due to the snow and cold weather.  Therefore, our first six months of preparation was reading and researching - investigating the required equipment - testing it in home - returning - exchanging - until we were comfortable with our decision. One of the most challenging was finding someone to watch our dog for six weeks. The second - preparing ourselves to live out of a back pack for 6 weeks was another.  For all journeys - spiritual or otherwise - good planning required. 

Screen Shot - The Way

As we begin Lent - many will know in advance what Lenten observances they will do.  Many others are still investigating.  For those who start immediately with Ash Wednesday - good for them.  For those who have yet to start - no problem - plenty of time.  The goal of Lent is to observe some practice that will help one grow closer to Jesus - develop a better spiritual life.  As with many things - quality versus quantity - the goal.  

Buen Camino 

Deacon Dale 

The Way - #2

 El Camino - Spanish meaning - The Way.  For this Lent my intent is to help lead everyone on a journey from Ash Wednesday through the 40 days of Lent - ending at the celebration of Easter. This journey will follow the journey that my wife and I made in the fall of 2013 - when we did a walking pilgrimage - starting at our home in Illinois to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain.  A journey that began in October 2012 and ended in October 2013. The back story - we had been invited by a friend to view the movie starring Martin Sheen called The Way.  At the end my wife turned to me and asked "how would you like to do this?"  I replied  it was only a movie - but turned to the computer to verify - my surprise - to learn that The Way - El Camino de Santiago de Compostela was a legitimate pilgrimage going back a thousand years or more. After some serious discussion - we made the commitment to learn - prepare - execute that pilgrimage.  Some questioned our sanity - attempting this in our late 60's - but with God's help.   The video below is a short overview of The Way 

Camino Video Clip

https://youtu.be/Y3MlI3bVa1I   

At that point in time we had already been gaining experience on international travel during the previous thirteen years - selecting places to visit - learning languages - local customs -  travel requirements so we could confidently travel to foreign places - initially just the two of us - then - starting in 2010 leading pilgrimages of groups to Israel - Poland - Italy - Ireland - Portugal - Spain - France .  Any undertaking like this takes Faith.  Faith in God - Faith in ourselves - Faith that we would be able to actually do this.  Just as we begin our Lenten journey - all of us pray that we will be able to walk these next days in Faith.

Buen Camino "Good Journey" Heard throughout the Camino 

Deacon Dale 

Ashes - The Way #1

Like the mythical Phoenix who obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor today - ASH WEDNESDAY - the day in churches around the world - when ashes are placed on the heads of believers of all ages.  Ashes from the palms waived last year on Palm Sunday - celebrating Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem - now burned and placed on the heads of believers - reminding everyone that all is not lost - that new life awaits those with hope.  

As we see those ashes - blessed - placed on the forehead - a sign of Hope that this Lent we will do it right - that we will honestly devote more time to prayer - meditation - reflection - on ourselves - our personal relationship with Jesus - His Father - the Holy Spirit.  Lent is very private - a personal time - observed in community - as we consider how we - as an individual - fit into God's plan for ourselves - those around us.  We Fast - We Pray - We Offer to others - that in our sharing - we are able to feel the touch of the Divine - in our life.

In Lent - we arise from the ashes of our past - to New Life

Deacon Dale 

Minute Meditations For Lent

 

Putting Some Fat Into Tuesday

Not everyone observes Fat Tuesday.  In some cultures that observance is practiced the Thursday prior to the traditional Fat Tuesday experience. While most Americans will celebrate Fat Tuesday as the traditional final indulgence before the start of Lent - some are already beginning festivities with Fat Thursday. Yes, it's real.  Fat Thursday, six days before Ash Wednesday, is the traditional beginning of festivities in many European cultures that lead up to the beginning of Lent, a solemn 40-day period on the Christian calendar. People of Polish heritage are among those who celebrate Fat Thursday.  The traditional treat - the Polish jelly doughnut -  Pączki - is consumed by all.  It is on Fat Thursday/Tuesday that people focus on what ever indulgence they select prior to a period of extended fasting - prayers - alms giving.  Today they enjoy - celebrate - tomorrow - Ash Wednesday - they will repent.

For some - filling the stomach with an excess of sweets - then repenting - is how as a community many prepare for a long solemn period of self denial and prayer.  With God at our side - this can be one of the best spiritual observances one can participate in. 

Deacon Dale 

Valentines Day

As normal - Valentines Day approaches - February 14th - with it tons of feelings - positive - negative. What is the point - just another holiday invented by merchants to sell more useless trinkets - flowers - candy - to many who would honestly prefer to skip the whole observation.  Does that sound like you - someone you know?  Perhaps you are one who loves this holiday - a true lover of all things that reflect the concept - nature - gift of love.  It is very easy to see both sides of this coin. Throughout time people have loved - been loved - shared love in many simple - awesome ways.  Just as interesting is the fact  that many persons - named Valentine - have been honored in various ways.  In different Christian denominations Valentines Day - a Feast Day when the Church celebrates multiple persons named Valentine - all martyred for their faith. 

Love exists in may forms - love - for that special person in ones life - spouse - children - parents - friends.  The greatest of all loves - the love that Our God has for each - everyone of us.  Love without limits - no boundaries - no strings attached.  This year Valentines Day shares the day with Ash Wednesday - one special day of the year when we acknowledge the One - who shared His love with the entire world - who calls us to reflect on the depth of our love - for the special people in our lives - for Him - who loved us first. 

Deacon Dale 

The Way - Day 17

 On this walking pilgrimage we quickly settled into a daily routine - sleep as late as possible - too many early walkers who disturbed our sleep - 5:00 AM - lights still out - rustling noises as they dress and repack their back packs in the dark - some with flashlights or hiking head lamps trying to gather all their belongings - too often those lights shining into the eyes of those trying to get more sleep - the noise from shuffling all their stuff also making it difficult to sleep. We had to leave the albergues by 10:00 AM at the latest - that allowed the staff time to clean the facility and bunk beds.  Most days we were up and ready to leave by 7:30 AM which still allowed us plenty of walking time as well as stopping early enough to get a bed.  Some people reserved ahead - not knowing how difficult each day would be we played our day by ear and using a guide book to know where the hostels were located - we had a good idea when to stop - time of day - how bad my blisters hurt. We learned very early that those who walked until dark often found the albergues filled and no beds available.  Taking that into consideration - time of day - distance walked - making sure we had a bed - had us stopping by 4:30 PM at the latest.  Less people in the albergue a better choice of bed - away from the bathrooms - closer to the windows for a good breeze since they are not air conditioned.  Just because we were back packing did not mean it had to be too rough of an experience.  In Lent as we try to follow our plans for prayer time - accomplishing our daily spiritual exercises - fitting those in with our daily obligations sometimes challenging - so we adapt. We pray.

Back into the country side 

Another beautiful day - although we were prepared for rain - we only had light rain on our last day of pilgrimage.  This section mostly flat - near here we met a couple from the Philippines - during our time in Spain we met pilgrims from 24 countries - all spoke English 

 

A new style Camino marker with yellow arrow & Filipino pilgrims

Random monument dedicated for pilgrims who died while walking 

Pilgrim biking the Camino 

Walking through a grape field - didn't pick any

A Camino directional sign with local history 

Village of Najera - Our albergue for tonight 

This night we experienced semi-private dormitory beds - two bunk beds in a shared room. One of us on top the other got the lower - just to be fair to the others sharing the room

Dormitory bunk beds

Alburgue entrance - Must leave boots & trekking poles at entrance to avoid 

bringing dirt to bed area & pray they are still there in the morning 

We ended our day early enough to find a place to eat and wander around the town. The alburgues all lock their doors at 10:00 PM so must be back or you get locked out. The sunsets in Spain - always beautiful - time to pause - give God the praise for another fruitful day. 

 

Beautiful Sunset 

At bedtime - always time for many prayers - prayers of thanksgiving - prayers of praise - intercessory prayers for self - those at home - those also walking the Camino.  In Lent as any other night - final prayers for the day.  

Buen Camino 

Deacon Dale 

Brrrrrrring In The New Year

It is no surprise that this new year of 2024 has begun with some very cold extreme weather - if we admit it - very often any new project - any new effort - often begins with challenges - anticipated or not.  So this year - like many before it - has entered our lives with a few bumps in the road.  The important thing - it has begun.  Now that we have some three weeks into this new year - most of us have been able to formulate an idea of what we hope to accomplish in 2024.  New years resolutions - made - already forgotten - weight loss programs - started - waiting for future success - one plan after another - scheduled - rescheduled - already tossed to the side.  Now before  the first month of this year passes - time to get real - settle into a real plan.  Don't know where to start - why not focus on yourself - this time look inward - look towards your spirituality - what can you add to your spiritual life that will make a difference to you - to those around you.  The opportunities are numerous - new book - video series presenting old concepts in new ways - too many to mention.

The point - time to finally get started - commit to a new agenda.  We have all enjoyed the freedom of these past three weeks - starting - stopping - contemplating - going nowhere.  Now before this month slips away - make a commitment - if nothing else - commit to make a new start - follow through - make 2024 a year of growth.  God calls each of us - on a daily basis - come to Him - draw closer - embrace Him as He embraces you.  It is very possible - with Jesus at your side - you will be successful.

Deacon Dale  

Christmas Joy

We all have options in our lives - what else could I possibly post on December 25th - anger - unhappiness - loneliness?  Yes - those things do exist - my blog - my choice.  I chose - JOY - an emotion foreign to many people.  In spite of everything that surrounds Christmas - too many people find Christmas to be a very stressful - angry - time of year.  I understand - death - loss of a loved one - loss of a job - loss of hope - colored in a lot of different ways - creates a sad environment.  I remember a time when I had - parents - in-laws - an older brother - a twin - the expectation of a child who was never born.  Very personal - very sad.  I could hide myself away - ignore others - feel unhappy - chose sadness - not my choice.  I chose to look at life differently.  Rather than dwell on what was - I chose to focus on what is.  Family - here and now - the promise of future happiness - acknowledging the blessings God has given to me - my spouse - my children - my friends.   If any of us would count our blessings versus the negative - we would have to admit that all of us have received many more blessings than not. 

Like most of my friends - Christian - otherwise - we are people of HOPE.  We accept the bad moments in life as moments - time that passes away - lives in the past - looking forward to all the good - Joy - that we will experience in the near future.  Religious or not - Christmas is about Jesus - The Christ - God wrapped in swaddling clothes - laid in a manger when there was no proper room for the King of Kings.  If He who is LORD can accept His first bed made of a manger filled with straw in a space shared with cattle can't we do as much?  Life is filled with thousand of moments - most of them very good.  In your own life - stop this Christmas and think - I am certain there are many moments - when you experienced Christmas Joy.

Merry Christmas

Deacon Dale