9/28/2019, 08:00
Two days ago, after the strenuous climb over the Pyrenees, at the albergue in Roncesvalles, we were saddened with the loss of a fellow pilgrim: A 40-something British male suffered a heart attack and died, in spite of the best efforts of Spanish emergency medical personnel. Please pray for the repose of his soul and for his family.
Yesterday, in Zubiri, while we were walking to meet our fellow pilgrims for dinner, Fr. Tony stumbled on the very narrow sidewalk and fell into the street. I, without thinking of anything but Fr. Tony’s safety, jumped into the street (without looking) and turned to stop any oncoming traffic. Rather than either or both of us being struck by a vehicle, I saw that someone had activated the pedestrian crossing light, thereby stopping all vehicles a safe distance away from us. Fr. Tony got up somewhat shaken, but with minimal bruising, and we safely proceeded to a wonderful dinner with our fellow peregrinos. God truly does watch over “fools and little children!”
9/28/2019, 21:00
Passing through the village of Zabaldica, we stopped at the Iglesia de San Esteban, a12th century church, named after the first deacon martyr, Saint Stephen. The church had a beautiful retablo behind the altar and the first statue of St. James the Pilgrim that we’ve seen on the Camino:
9/29/2019, 09:00:
“Parting is such sweet sorrow…” That iconic line from Romeo an Juliet by William Shakespeare pretty well sums up the end of our first four days on the Camino.
After meeting in Orisson at the end of day 1 on the Camino, a group of about 20 pilgrims travelled together for the next 3 days; sharing life experiences, joys and sorrows, hopes and fears as we walked the 40 miles from Orisson to Roncesvalles to Zubiri to Pamplona. I am amazed, but not surprised, at how closely members of this Camino “family” bonded in close friendship over such a short period of time: But that’s the beauty and magic of the Camino.
Blessing and prayers of “Buen Camino” for Kate (USA), Brian (Ireland), Matthias (Germany), Magdalena (Netherlands), Kim (Korea), Kareem (UK), Kate (UK), Jane (UK), Charlotte (UK), Guy (Canada), Wendy (UK), Dan (Korea), Peter (USA), Denise (Germany), Roger (USA), Clovis (UK), Diana (UK), along with prayers of forgiveness requested from anyone that I failed to mention by name.
Fr. Tony and I, although tempted to carry-on and travel with our new Camino family, decided that we had better stop for our scheduled 2-day break in Pamplona. We will use this opportunity to attend Sunday Mass at the Pamplona Cathedral and explore the town. “Parting is such sweet sorrow;” while we are saddened at leaving our first Camino family, we are hopeful that we will reconnect with them further along “the Way” and are confident that God will bless us with the friendship of other peregrinos as we continue our pilgrimage.
Jim Olshefski
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