We got our Compostela – our certificate indicating our completion of the pilgrimage.
I will admit that it feels very, very strange to be off the Camino. No croissant for me today – I didn’t earn it! I slept late (7:00) and feel as though I should be moving! I miss the feel of my poles and the rhythm of walking!
Since we did not take any rest days, we finished in only 33 days! We have 6 days before we return! Many people go on (some walking) to the coast of Galicia- we considered going, but taking a bus. Then Marsha had a brilliant idea! This is the 100th anniversary of Mary’s apparition at Fatima, Portugal! Oh wait! That’s only an 8 hour bus ride! Oh wait! Didn’t I make the Consecration to Our Lady of Fatima back in May in preparation for this pilgrimage? It was a given. We had to make this happen. So many amazing little miracles happened in putting it together. But we should not have been surprised.
My backpack is packed again, now with the boots on the outside, and we moved on! We left Santiago after attending an English Mass at the Basilica. How Great Thou Art, was the closing hymn – I tried to sing along, but the tears were flowing so much that I don’t think I sang a note. ALL in thanksgiving!
This was a prayer we received at Mass this morning:
We thank you God for bringing us safely on our Pilgrim way. Our hearts are full of gratitude for the many blessings and gifts of our pilgrimage. The company and kindness of strangers, the beauty of the way, the joy of traveling light, the strength to go on even in difficulties were all wonderful reminders of Your presence among us and within each of us. Now that we have arrived here at the tomb of St. James, we remember once again all our loved ones, especially those who have been in our hearts and minds as we walked the Camino. We pray too for all whom we will meet when we return home, our families, our colleagues and neighbors. Give us courage to live now in the spirit of the Camino so that all of us may in some small way make this world a more loving and peaceful place for all our sisters and brothers. We make our prayer through Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Amen.
We had a long bus ride, and here we are in Fatima! I will post more tomorrow once we have more time to visit! I will continue the blog posts until we arrive home…
So much joy, so much joy…