To All Peregrinos, The Prayer of La Faba

[WhitSF]

Something to remember. Though I am not religious, the sentiment is spot on.

THE PRAYER OF LA FABA

Although I may have travelled all the roads,
crossed mountains and valleys from East to West,
if I have not discovered the freedom to be myself,
I have arrived nowhere.

Although I may have shared all of my possessions
with people of other languages and cultures;
made friends with Pilgrims of a thousand paths,
or shared albergue with saints and princes,
if I am not capable of forgiving my neighbour tomorrow,
I have arrived nowhere.

Although I may have carried my pack from beginning to end
and waited for every Pilgrim in need of encouragement,
or given my bed to one who arrived later than I,
given my bottle of water in exchange for nothing;
if upon returning to my home and work,
I am not able to create brotherhood
or to make happiness, peace and unity,
I have arrived nowhere.

Although I may have had food and water each day,
and enjoyed a roof and shower every night;
or may have had my injuries well attended,
if I have not discovered in all that the love of God,
I have arrived nowhere.

Although I may have seen all the monuments
and contemplated the best sunsets;
although I may have learned a greeting in every language;
or tried the clean water from every fountain;
if I have not discovered who is the author
of so much free beauty and so much peace,
I have arrived nowhere.

If from today I do not continue walking on your path,
searching for and living according to what I have learned;
if from today I do not see in every person, friend or foe
a companion on the Camino;
if from today I cannot recognize God,
the God of Jesus of Nazareth
as the one God of my life,
I have arrived nowhere.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

La Faba is the result of a pilgrim inspired to open an albergue when he did not die in bad weather!

28.07.1985
Am 71. Jahrestag der Ermordung des österreichischen Thronfolgerpaares und der daraus resultierenden Zerfleischung Europas im Ersten Weltkrieg entstand beim Jakobspilger Manfred Hartmann (ehem. Präsident und Gründer VLTREIA) während der von einem heftigen Unwetter beeinträchtigten Pyrenäen-Überquerung die Idee, für Pilger jeglicher Weltanschauung, Herkunft und jeglichen Standes an der Stelle der zu wenigen Mauerresten verfallenen ehemaligen Einsiedelei ELIZARRA, eine Herberge zu errichten

 

[jpflavin1]

One of my favorite stops. A very simple place.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[indyinmaine]

We use it as a symbolic prayer in our RCIA process.

 

[rickster]

Something to remember. Though I am not religious, the sentiment is spot on.

THE PRAYER OF LA FABA

Although I may have travelled all the roads,
crossed mountains and valleys from East to West,
if I have not discovered the freedom to be myself,
I have arrived nowhere.

Although I may have shared all of my possessions
with people of other languages and cultures;
made friends with Pilgrims of a thousand paths,
or shared albergue with saints and princes,
if I am not capable of forgiving my neighbour tomorrow,
I have arrived nowhere.

Although I may have carried my pack from beginning to end
and waited for every Pilgrim in need of encouragement,
or given my bed to one who arrived later than I,
given my bottle of water in exchange for nothing;
if upon returning to my home and work,
I am not able to create brotherhood
or to make happiness, peace and unity,
I have arrived nowhere.

Although I may have had food and water each day,
and enjoyed a roof and shower every night;
or may have had my injuries well attended,
if I have not discovered in all that the love of God,
I have arrived nowhere.

Although I may have seen all the monuments
and contemplated the best sunsets;
although I may have learned a greeting in every language;
or tried the clean water from every fountain;
if I have not discovered who is the author
of so much free beauty and so much peace,
I have arrived nowhere.

If from today I do not continue walking on your path,
searching for and living according to what I have learned;
if from today I do not see in every person, friend or foe
a companion on the Camino;
if from today I cannot recognize God,
the God of Jesus of Nazareth
as the one God of my life,
I have arrived nowhere.


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I picked up several of these postcards at the church in O'Cebreiro and always read it before and after each camino. Very good reflection and advice.
rickster