Camino Day 10 - Santiago

One thing that can be learned from a pilgrimage such as this is that the journey, as well as the destination, matters. In this sense this daily walk has been a simple parable of life. I hope that the small hardships and daily struggles we may be called to endure back home will be easier to bear as a result of this experience.

We met some lovely fellow pilgrims on the 'Way of St James' and will have many happy memories long after the aches and pains have gone. Those who walk a much longer Camino route have our total respect as do those who do so in older age and infirmity.

One can't help but be struck by the many wayside memorials to those whose earthly pilgrimage ended on the Camino. It was our happy duty and privilege to pray for them. Many, if not most, who walk this Way are not Catholics or practising Christians and yet they are searching for something. Let us pray that their arrival at the tomb of the Apostle James will awaken in them the longing for the same Lord who called James to be his apostle to the people of Galicia and to drink deep of the chalice of suffering and death.

Our little effort, despite the temptations of passing taxis, was made to implore God to guide the election of a new Pope and for vocations to the religious life, especially at Farnborough Abbey. We will lay them at the altar at mass here in Santiago as well as our prayers for you all.

Today also the novena was completed along with our walking. From our hearts, thank you to those who have accompanied us spiritually, through prayers, masses and stations of the cross offered for us. We needed you!!

As you will see from one of the pictures below Our Lady of Walsingham was here to greet us. tomorrow two of us begin the journey to Lourdes before returning to the UK.