Burgos Part 4 - a little glory...



This morning was perhaps the best start to a day for some time. I took a couple more photographs of the Cathedral. The architecture is just stunning. I particularly like the one slightly glowing as the sun came up. I took my kindle into the Cathedral and quietly said the morning office in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. I was hoping for a said Mass at 9 am. As the lights were turned on the gilded reredos revealed its "wow" factor. Utterly glorious. (No photographs allowed) . The bell rang for Mass.... Around 25 concelebrating priests, various servers, a congregation of around 12 -15 and what followed was full sung Lauds and Mass in Spanish. The gentle intonation and full voice of around 30 men was just "heavenly". (Ask a Precentor...) .  I found myself able to join in in places because I am becoming familiar with some parts of the Mass in Spanish and also the melodies were simple to pick up. This great blessing is something I would have missed but for my present incapacity. Just like God's grace it was absolutely free. It appears that this a daily ritual. I wondered how many people have been as privileged as I was.

My trip to the Centro Salud for dressing change later in the morning was a more "normal" one a bit more NHS surgery like. A receptionist who didn't know how to process an EHIC card, and wasn't too inclined too until a younger lady around half her age gave her a small manual and showed her what to do. No I couldn't see the nurse, I had to see the "Medico". The Medico then said , no you need to see the Nurse... and she fixed it straightaway. The good news is that both feet are healing properly. My dressings can come off on Monday. Then it will be daily Vaseline massage. - thank you for your prayers, please keep them coming.
The last picture today is of course Sant Iago, St James whose statue sits just inside the Albergue entrance as a reminder of him whose tomb I and all other Peregrino's journey towards. One of the saints " on whose constant intercession we rely on..." . If you are praying for me, count yourself among the saints on earth, no matter how unholy you may feel. Every prayer, for everyone in need is a gift of love that Our Father honours. 

Popular posts from this blog

A candle burns...

Image
In a peaceful ancient walled town in the Pyrenees candles burn, their holiness and their power seems enhanced by the walls and the atmosphere of the place. The image of Our Lady watching over them as much as the pilgrim gazes quickly, or reflectively, or at the least wondering perhaps, as his or her candle is lit. This is the first church along The Way after "signing in" at the Pilgrim Bureau. From here it is onwards towards Santiago, which seems a distant dream. For whom do the candles burn? Who will join their yearnings with mine? Who will follow? Who will feel blessed by God's response? Who wishes that they too could be doing such a thing right now? Questions, questions,questions, is this not the way life itself always is? As human beings we yearn for answers, we seek after "truth". Me, today, I pray that I may have what I need for the journey, that I may not be a burden to others and that those whom I love and who love me may be kept safe, and that all...
Read more

Carrion de Los Condes - further reflection

Image
The Albergue we stayed at was serviced by nuns attached to the parish church. In the early evening they invited any pilgrims who wished to join them for an hour in the garden. We were asked to introduce ourselves briefly, name, where we were from and what expectation we had or reason we had for walking the Camino. As you may expect these varied a lot. There were many nationalities represented. This experience turned out to be a whole lot more moving than I guess had been expected. When the lady next to me spoke giving her name and Ukraine as her country of origin there was a slight pause and then spontaneous applause. I wonder what that sign of solidarity meant to her? A few minutes later the nuns asked if anyone had a song to offer. A guy from Texas offered and took a guitar from one of the nuns and began to play " By the rivers of Babylon" in a blues style. He taught us the tune and we sang it several times. He had no idea what the origins of the song was. One of the nuns e...
Read more

Roncesvalles to Zubiri

Image
Here is a lovely picture of Burgette  Church in the snow, although you can call today really "rain day" as that it what it became. So rain kilt, gaiters and rucksack covers on. All road work again as the paths were too risky. Plenty of water taken and regularly consumed. There were beautiful views, snow covered trees and stuff. After my attempts at passing out the previous day my companions were helping me pace and ensuring we had adequate breaks. Around half way, at Viskarret a very small one room bar was found. Time to rest, a hot chocolate and an omelette with bread. Perfecto. One of my companions was clearly not well so was going to taxi the last part. The Senora running the bar was having no luck getting a taxi, so he decided to try the supermercado. My other companion suggested I might pray for our onward journey. I did, invoking the saints... Santa Maria ora pro nobis, Sant Iago ora pro nobis, San Miguel ora pro nobis... at which point the previously mentioned ...
Read more