October 13, 2019

10/13/2019, 06:00

I must start with a point of clarification:

  • In the last picture of yesterday’s post, I displayed a photo of a statue of Jesus being scourged at the pillar which is in the Burgos Cathedral. I gave the incorrect impression that this statue was related to the Spanish national holiday on October 12, which coincides with the feast of Our Lady of the Pillar.  I apologize for the confusion!  Our Lady of the Pillar commemorates the belief that around 40 A.D., the Virgin Mary, while still in Jerusalem, appeared to St. James the Greater while he was evangelizing in the Iberian peninsula, in what is now Spain.  The Shrine of Our Lady of the Pillar is located in Zaragoza, Spain.

10/13/2019, 06:30

Last night, in Hornillos Del Camino at Iglesia de San Román, Fr. Tony celebrated Mass and preached in Spanish and English to about 30 pilgrims from the USA, Canada, UK, Italy, Spain, Brazil and Germany.  Fr. Manuel, the pastor, is responsible for at least 5 parishes and had already celebrated 4 Masses that day.  As a result, he was more than happy to allow Fr. Tony to lead the Eucharistic celebration.  In his homily, Fr. Tony reminded us pilgrims that, on the Camino, we need to keep things simple:  

  • Fewer items makes for a lighter backpack, and
  • A simple daily routine of awaken, walk, shower, eat and sleep.

We cannot forget to do these simple things if we expect to reach our goal, the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela.  So it is in our spiritual life.  We must do the simple things:  Daily prayer, weekly Mass and frequent Reconciliation, if we wish to reach the goal of our eternal salvation.  After Mass, Fr. Manuel gave us a pilgrims’ blessing that was quite moving.  All of us will fondly remember that evening!

Iglesia de San Román in Hornillos Del Camino 
Fr. Tony celebrating Mass.
Pilgrims with Fr. Manuel after the Pilgrims’  blessing.
I lit a candle and prayed for all Cathedral parishioners at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Hontanas.

10/13/2019, 21:45

Today, we again walked about 12 miles; this time to Castrojeriz, a town at a strategic trade crossroads, whose origins date back to Romans times. Legend has it that Julius Caesar himself was instrumental in the development of the Roman fortress on which were constructed improvements over the centuries by the Visigoths, Moors and Christians.  We walked up to the fortress ruins above the town and experienced incredible views, as the following  pictures demonstrate.

Castrojeriz and the ruins of the fortress above.
As we approach the ruins. 
Jim at the top of the ruins with a commanding view of the surrounding countryside.

Jim Olshefski