Mass on the Camino,

[Arn]

Many of you know I am traveling with my pastor Father Jonathan.
When he agreed to walk the Way I was gratified and somewhat concerned he might find the Camino less than I have advertised. With that concern in mind, I offered that on Camino you will meet many one day and not again, maybe not until Santiago.
I went so far as to intimate walking with me, step by step,at be the lesser of alternatives.
Three days in and my concerns are gone.
Father is quite a bit younger than me and very wide-eyed at all he sees. Not that he isn't well traveled ( he's been on missions to France, Namibia, Haiti, etc) but the Camino is having it's profound effect we of the Forum know so well.
He's still the same Fr Jonathan, but not.
He sometimes walks with me, sometimes for short or extended periods with other pilgrims, but most often alone.
He is finding his faith strengthened at every step and his knees weakened in equal measure.
In every town we've stopped he's concelebrated Mass, much to his pleasure. But today we celebrated Mass outside, just the two of us, to my pleasure.
The Camino continues to provide for all.
For the newest pilgrim. For the veteran. For the self absorbed and the Contrite.
We have three days to SdC. Two in the Cathedral city...then off to Muxia.
Bless you all,
Arn

 

[Cailin O Eire]

Sounds wonderful,
Buen Camino

 

[amorfati1]

Many of you know I am traveling with my pastor Father Jonathan.
When he agreed to walk the Way I was gratified and somewhat concerned he might find the Camino less than I have advertised. With that concern in mind, I offered that on Camino you will meet many one day and not again, maybe not until Santiago.
I went so far as to intimate walking with me, step by step,at be the lesser of alternatives.
Three days in and my concerns are gone.
Father is quite a bit younger than me and very wide-eyed at all he sees. Not that he isn't well traveled ( he's been on missions to France, Namibia, Haiti, etc) but the Camino is having it's profound effect we of the Forum know so well.
He's still the same Fr Jonathan, but not.
He sometimes walks with me, sometimes for short or extended periods with other pilgrims, but most often alone.
He is finding his faith strengthened at every step and his knees weakened in equal measure.
In every town we've stopped he's concelebrated Mass, much to his pleasure. But today we celebrated Mass outside, just the two of us, to my pleasure.
The Camino continues to provide for all.
For the newest pilgrim. For the veteran. For the self absorbed and the Contrite.
We have three days to SdC. Two in the Cathedral city...then off to Muxia.
Bless you all,
Arn

Marvelous.
Traveling , eh, pilgriming right along side with you guys...
Buen camino...
C

 

[domigee]

But today we celebrated Mass outside, just the two of us, to my pleasure.
Arn

What a treat.
And what a lovely post, thank you.

 

[wayfarer]

Hi Arn, I am sitting here commiting one of the seven deadly sins while I read your post, envy is a terrible thing.

 

[Arn]

Initially I was saddened by the few parishioners at each Mass we attended. Then I realized that each and everyone of you is there every step of the Way.
How grand is that!!!
Bless you all,
Arn

 

[VNwalking]

Wonderful post, Arn! Thank you...it gave me goosebumps.
Hoped we'd be in Santiago at the same time, but alas no. Would have enjoyed meeting/seeing you at the Tertulia...well, may the next days be as sweet as can be for you both. Buen Camino!

 

[Arn]

Santiago!!
We have all had personal experiences once we arrived. You may have noticed my concern Fr Jonathan wouldn't "get it". What an idiot I am.
I went out of my way not to give Fr the guided tour ala Arn.
He was on his own and the only time we really got together was for meals and, of course, Mass.
As you know, priests that walk the Way are invited to concelebrate at the Pilgrim's Mass. They are vested and seated along the sides.
The previous night, Fr Jonathan concelebrated the 19:00 Mass.
For today's Pilgrim's Mass, not only was he seated front and center, he also gave the blessing in English AND blessed the Botafumeiro as it prepared to fly!!!!
How exciting is that...the Camino strikes again.
All I can say is that Father is in awe!
God bless you all,
Arn

 

[VNwalking]

Oh, the blessings of the way!
How wonderful for you both.
More goosebumps....
Sorry to have missed it. A week too early, alas. But very happy to have the vicarious experience. Thanks Arn...and as always, thanks Ivar! Without the forum we wouldn't have the empathetic joy. And coming off the Camino would be soooooo much harder.

 

[Arn]

The Camino...the Gift that keeps on giving.
Entered Olveiroa Saturday evening staying at As Pias.
As I had attended Mass just around the corner on a previous Camino, I told Father we could attend Mass Sunday.
When confirming Mass time, we were told that there would be no Mass because the local priest was sick.
Enter Fr Jonathan: "How can I help?"
Needless to say, the Camino delivers. An opportunity for Father and the parish in Olveiroa.
Bless you all,
Arn