The Way

Today (Sunday) we had fun exploring the city of Porto, Portugal before taking a bus to Tui, Spain.  This is where we will begin the Portuguese Way of the Camino de Santiago.  (Yes, that's right...we were in Portugal, but are now back in Spain, but very near Portugal....so we will walk across the river back into Portugal in the morning ... is that confusing enough?)  We are all eager to become "true pilgrims" as we set out earlytomorrow morning.  (The truth is, I think our pilgrimage began as soon as we left California, but setting foot on the Camino will make us feel more legitimate.)  Over the past week and a half, it has been interesting to learn a bit about why our fellow pilgrims have chosen to take this journey.  Not everyone ascribes to a specific religion or spiritual practice, and those of us who do have varied beliefs.  So there are a number of expressed reasons for the pilgrimage within our group. A couple of people have recently retired and are walking to discern a sense of direction for their next phase in life.  Others have expressed a need to process painful experiences or strained/transitioning relationships. One member of our group says she needs to "lay her burdens down."  I suspect she isn't the only one.  Two older members of our group who are not personally people of faith are traveling the way to share the experience with their loved ones.  One is taking the trip with her daughter, who is a Christian, and another is traveling with his grandson, who is a college student and devout Catholic.  Another woman, who describes herself as a "lapsed Catholic" is in a sense finishing a trip she began last summer, when she traveled to Spain with family but didn't have time to get as far as Santiago. She is so excited she thinks she may head out the door in the morning and head straight for the next town without taking a break!  Her enthusiasm -- and her smile-- are infectious.  So why are Gib and I here?  Hmmm..... Gib says he feels he is at a crossroads, and wants to contemplate his next stage in life.  I (Susan) have had a yearning to take a pilgrimage for a couple of years, but I'm not sure yet what I am meant to experience or discover. (How unlike me to commit to something without a stated goal!)  I feel like I am responding to an "invitation" of sorts... My spiritual director tells me it is "a gift" I am meant to unwrap.  We will see... Before dinner tonight, I read the prayer below as a blessing for our food and for our journey.  It is an ancient prayer traditionally said by people beginning a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago.  Perhaps you can also pray it for us (or for yourself):

Ancient Prayer of the Pilgrim

Lord, You who called your servant Abraham out of the town of Ur in Chaldea,

And who watched over him during all his wanderings;

You who guided the Jewish people through the desert;

We pray for you to watch your servants who, for the love of your name,

Make a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

Be, for us, a companion on our journey,

The guide on our intersections,

The strengthening during fatigue,

The fortress in danger,

The resource on our itinerary,

The shadow in our heat,

The light in our darkness,

The consolation during dejection,

And the power of our intention.

So that we, under your guidance, safely and unhurt,

May reach the end of our journey,

Strengthened with gratitude and power, 

Secure and filled with happiness and hope.  Amen.