One more day

I have had amazing weather on my Camino.  The sun has been shining almost every day, but never brutally hot.  I have worn shorts from day one in Spain and only used the rain poncho twice.  The longest time was leaving Leon for about an hour.

With a short and easy walk today, the weather decided to pour rain on us!  We had showers all morning and, at times, we had to seek shelter as it was raining so hard. 



My last albergue is only about 4 hours away from the cathedral in Santiago.  Many pilgrims are here, all getting ready for the final walk tomorrow morning.  The excitement is growing! 

 







There are not as many pictures today, due to the rain, but enjoy these and, since it is Sunday, a Pilgrim’s Prayer:

 





Pilgrim’s Prayer (in O Cebreiro)

 

Even if I had traveled all the roads, crossed mountains and valleys from East to West, if I haven't discovered the freedom to be myself, I haven't gotten anywhere.

 

Even if I had shared all my goods with people of another language and culture, made friends with pilgrims from a thousand trails or shared a hostel with saints and princes, if I am not able to forgive my neighbor tomorrow, I have not reached anywhere.

 

Although I would have carried my backpack from beginning to end and waited for each pilgrim in need of encouragement or given my bed to whoever came later or given away my bottle of water in exchange for nothing, if back to my home and my work, I am not capable of creating fraternity and bringing joy, peace and unity, I am not going anywhere.

 

Even if I had food and water every day, enjoyed a roof and a shower every night or had my wounds well cared for, if I have not discovered in all of this the love of God, I have not arrived anywhere.

 

Even if I had seen all the monuments and contemplated the best sunsets; even if I had learned a greeting in every language or tasted clean water from every source, if I have not discovered who is the author of so much free beauty and so much peace, I have not arrived anywhere.

 

If from today I don't keep walking in your ways, seeking and living according to what has been learned; if from today I do not see in each person, friend and enemy, a companion on the way; if from today I do not recognize God, the God of Jesus of Nazareth, as the only God of my life, I have not reached anywhere.

 

Friar Dino.  Franciscans of Santiago

 











31,562 steps

  15,66 miles





Location:  O Pedrouzo @ 42.90905, -8.359088

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