Last Day

Our last day in Spain brought a suitable close to what has been a wonderful journey.  We spent last night in a former monastery and had a chance to sleep in for the first time in over two weeks. It was a good way to start the Sabbath.  After breakfast and a leisurely walk on the cobblestone paths around town, we went to the Cathedral at noon for a wonderful Pilgrims Mass. It is hard to describe what it was like to be in a crowded, lavishly ornate cathedral with hundreds of pilgrims from all over the world.  (Once again,no hay palabras.)  A nun in traditional dress with the voice of an angel sang much of the liturgy.  Prayers and scripture were read in different languages by several priests who had come to Santiago from different countries.  (It was a little reminiscent of Pentecost, as we all heard a passage read in our own language!)  The homily was preached by the presiding priest.  It was all in Spanish, but I (Susan) could understand most of it, and then translate it for Gib and our friends.  

After serving communion to hundreds of pilgrims who approached the altar, the priests invited a group of eight men in red robes to come forward for the much anticipated tradition of the Cathedral de Santiago: the hoisting and swinging of the botafumeiro - a large cistern filled with burning incense.  This, the priest said, was the sign of the Holy Spirit descending upon us all.  It was absolutely breathtaking.  (The photo gives you an idea of what it looked like. But it is hard to capture on film.)

The service ended with the traditional Passing of the Peace, although in this case it was not only across gender and age, but also cross-cultural and multilingual.  The priest's closing benediction reminded us that we are still pilgrims, even after completing our walk; that life, like the Camino, is a continued journey.

After the service, our group drove by bus out to the coast.  Although it rained, we could still see the beautiful expanse of coastline against the Atlantic Ocean.  It went on for miles. It seemed a suitable finish to our travels to be in Finisterre, thought at one time to be the end of the world. Like Christopher Columbus (Cristobo Colon), we know better.  We have a New World waiting for us when we return to North America.  That journey begins for us when we board our plane for home tomorrow morning.

Thank you for journeying along with us.  Happy Father's Day everyone; especially to our own dads, Gilbert and Allen.  Love to you all.  Susan and Gib (Susannum and Gilbertum)