Saint James Day 2018

[mspath]

Although physically I may not be in Santiago de Compostela now nevertheless I yearn to hear the massive cathedral bells peal in celebration of the Feast of Saint James, July 25.

Within the city multitudes will convene and celebrate this historic Catholic event. Spanish royalty, government officials, church dignitaries, ordinary citizens, and, of course, thousands of actual pilgrims will be present. All will assemble to actively participate in age-old ecclesiastic pageantry and tradition.

Imagine if those present could be magically joined by all past pilgrims. Such a super-giant throng of celebrants would stretch back across one thousand years!

Whatever our ethnicity or beliefs, all pilgrims who walk or have walked the Camino share common bonds. All surely remember their personal thrill on arriving at last at the great cathedral, touching the hallowed stones, weeping with joy, and giving thanks as the great bells tolled.

At home in France tomorrow I shall, as always, also remember and listen for those far-distant, celebratory bells.

Ultreia!

 

[natefaith]

Beautiful post, @mspath ! Makes me appreciate our surroundings this week.

 

[Bradypus]

I've been watching the preparations for tonight's big firework celebrations in the Praza do Obradoiro on a webcam now and again over the past couple of days. Not the same as being there of course but a link all the same The display switches around between 3 or 4 different positions to get a reasonable view of the square. Busy enough now - I'm trying to imagine what it will be like tonight
http://www.crtvg.es/crtvg/camaras-web/praza-do-obradoiro

 

[Deleted member 3000]

All will assemble to actively participate in age-old ecclesiastic pageantry and tradition.

The webcams inside, however, are currently not working! The plaza webcam still works, so the light show or fireworks may be visible so that we can join on the internet,


http://www.crtvg.es/crtvg/camaras-web/praza-do-obradoiro

 

[Deleted member 3000]

After the webcams were inoperative for several weeks, I sent an email to CRTVG. They just responded that the webcams are back up! You can watch the evening (and noon) masses and perhaps see the botafumeiro!

 

[MTowers]

After the webcams were inoperative for several weeks, I sent an email to CRTVG. They just responded that the webcams are back up! You can watch the evening (and noon) masses and perhaps see the botafumeiro!

Thank you for this information . At least we can watch from afar but be there in spirit.

 

[Tulle]

After the webcams were inoperative for several weeks, I sent an email to CRTVG. They just responded that the webcams are back up! You can watch the evening (and noon) masses and perhaps see the botafumeiro!

I am watching now, remembering when I was there on Saint James Day in 1999, a Holy Year. A great experience! Do you know when the fireworks start?

 

[Bala]

After the webcams were inoperative for several weeks, I sent an email to CRTVG. They just responded that the webcams are back up! You can watch the evening (and noon) masses and perhaps see the botafumeiro!

Best seats in the house! Thanks!

 

[natefaith]

TV coverage is starting now, so soon they'll start the light show and then the fireworks will come afterward. The TV show is supposed to be from 10:05 - 12:15am, Spain time. We're settling in for some good watching for the next couple of hours!

 

[mark connolly]

If you eat oysters on Saint James Day, you will never have the want of money. Happy Saint James Day to you all.

Buen Camino

Mark

 

[VNwalking]

Thank you, @mspath , for voicing the sentiments of many of us who cannot be in Santiago today.
Blessings to all, today and all days.
I missed the midnight mass and fireworks, but it's lovely to see the plaza in before dawn on the feast day, with all the scaffolding from the Cathedral entrance finally removed - so thanks for that link, @falcon269 and @Bradypus. There are a surprising number of people milling around at this early hour.

 

[Former member 49149]

If you eat oysters on Saint James Day, you will never have the want of money. Happy Saint James Day to you all.

Buen Camino

Mark

This is one pishogue I doubt I will ever act on! But Happy Day for those basking in the atmosphere today, especially those who have planned their arrival deliberately.

 

[MTowers]

This is one pishogue I doubt I will ever act on! But Happy Day for those basking in the atmosphere today, especially those who have planned their arrival deliberately.

Looks like I am destined to be poor! Maybe in monetary terms, but never in spirit.

 

[FlechaCadaDia]

Where does this legend come from, Mark?

If you eat oysters on Saint James Day, you will never have the want of money. Happy Saint James Day to you all.

Buen Camino

Mark

 

[mark connolly]

@FlechaCadaDia

Don't know. Read it online. FYI: yes I ate oysters today.

It is also customary for the English to eat oysters today. It is said that "Who eats oysters on St James's Day will never want!"

https://www.fisheaters.com/customstimeafterpentecost4x.html

Thank you for asking.

Buen camino

Mark

 

[Former member 49149]

@FlechaCadaDia

Don't know. Read it online. FYI: yes I ate oysters today.

It is also customary for the English to eat oysters today. It is said that "Who eats oysters on St James's Day will never want!"

https://www.fisheaters.com/customstimeafterpentecost4x.html

Thank you for asking.

Buen camino

Mark

Mark, thanks for your explanation. I hope you were not offended by my reply. And for those who didn’t google it, pishogue more or less is an old wives’ tale. In fact my reply comes from my ignorance, never having tried them, and also the association of oysters and Guinness, a brew that has never attracted me. I haven’t time right now to follow your link, but also my guess is that it has to do with plentiful catches when all sea reaping was natural, and not controlled. Something similar to the idea that if it rains on St John’s Day you may be sure for rain for the next forty days.... so, you ate oysters: here is a saying from the country to the North of your own: Lang may yer lum reek! It has a similar meaning. It accompanies the lump of coal traditionally given when first footing on Hogmanay, meaning may you always have enough coal to keep the fire going.

 

[Vovo]

Hola! Sydneysiders or thereabouts: I noticed a Patronal Festival celebrating Saint James' The Great at the church of Saint James in the city, Sydney, sjks.org.au,

with a talk on Saint James...'for anyone interested in Saint James particularly the Camino...with uplifting music and narrative' this Saturday 28th July 2018 at 3pm. Then fine choral music in a performance 'Saints and Revelation' follows at 5pm....a sonic pilgrimage.....bookings etc.
I would like to get there later as am visiting the city, however I had already booked an earlier concert starring a visiting French Medieval group on a strange and wonderful theme so it could be quite an afternoon....

 

[MadKnitter]

Imagine if those present could be magically joined by all past pilgrims. Such a super-giant throng of celebrants would stretch back across one thousand years!

What a beautiful image of the communion of saints! Not only a reunion of Christian souls, but of pilgrims as well.

 

[Bradypus]

Imagine if those present could be magically joined by all past pilgrims. Such a super-giant throng of celebrants would stretch back across one thousand years!

On my first Camino numbers walking were tiny and apart from one morning together with a Spanish pilgrim I walked almost entirely alone from SJPDP to Santiago. When I returned home a friend asked if I was lonely during my journey. For a few moments I simply could not understand the question: how could I possibly be lonely walking a path I shared with millions who had walked this way for centuries before me? The idea of loneliness had never even occurred to me.

 

[VNwalking]

On my first Camino numbers walking were tiny and apart from one morning together with a Spanish pilgrim I walked almost entirely alone from SJPDP to Santiago. When I returned home a friend asked if I was lonely during my journey. For a few moments I simply could not understand the question: how could I possibly be lonely walking a path I shared with millions who had walked this way for centuries before me? The idea of loneliness had never even occurred to me.

Triple like, @Bradypus....such a nice image.