Poem in the O Cebreiro Iglesia

[ktk1111]

I read a beautiful poem in the church in O'Cebreiro and it so moved me. It was in a side room to the left of the entrance when you walk in. It was about how if you weren't experiencing the Camino way, then you really have gone nowhere, at all. I wish I had taken a picture of the poem but I figured I would be able to find it online, but to no avail I could not. Does anyone have a link to this poem? Thank you!

 

[scruffy1]

Sorry, I can't help you on O'Cebreiro -however - try this instead written at a different time by a different man in a different place just exchange Ithica with Santiago and you've got it!
Ithaca
When you set out on your journey to Ithaca,
pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the angry Poseidon -- do not fear them:
You will never find such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your spirit and your body.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not set them up before you.

Pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many, when,
with such pleasure, with such joy
you will enter ports seen for the first time;
stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensual perfumes of all kinds,
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from scholars.

Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for many years;
and to anchor at the island when you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.

Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would have never set out on the road.
She has nothing more to give you.

And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
Wise as you have become, with so much experience,
you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.

Constantine P. Cavafy (Alexandria 1911)

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Here is a 'distant' shot of that prayer in situ in O'Cebreiro. I also took several closer-up to get the whole prayer- but maybe it would be better if I e-mailed them to you. Let me know by PM.
Margaret

 

[miguel_gp]

Is it this one ?

 

[ktk1111]

Yes, miguel_gp and KiwiNomad06, that is it!! Thank you so very much!!!! I very much have been thinking of this poem for the past few days, having finished the Camino, and wanted to reconnect with it.

 

[Carol06]

For any peregrinos still passing through O'Cebreiro, you can buy a copy of this prayer/poem at the office in the church. It is in the form of a postcard. I have a copy in English.

 

[katehawk]

Scruffy,
Thanks for that poem!
Katherine

 

[PeregrinaB]

I received a blessing from Father PACO and I wish i could have the words.
Would he be able to send them to me?

 

[mspath]

I received a blessing from Father PACO and I wish i could have the words.
Would he be able to send them to me?

Although the last entry on this thread was in 2012 you can still download the poem from post #4 above. The phrase "this one" is a link; tap it for the text.