Days Fifteen and Sixteen
Day 15 was a delightful celebration of rest. I spent time enjoying the city of Santiago after receiving my compostela, showing that I have walked the Camino. I was at the pilgrim office before it opened and still waited an hour to receive it. But, the wait was worth it! As one of the first 25 pilgrims at their opening, I received a free private group entrance into the museum of the cathedral. We were able to see the restored Portico and several statues that are not able to be viewed currently by visitors to the main cathedral.
In the morning, I attended an English mass in the chapel of the pilgrim office. A lovely nun opened and closed the service and invited us all to introduce ourselves. English speakers from around the world were in attendance. We even sang a song I knew called Here Am I Lord, which was meaningful to me. Surrender has been the theme of my week’s work in prayer.
In the afternoon, I visited The Pilgrim House. This welcome center is a lovely place for reflection and was recommended to me by a friend who worked with the missionaries who run it. I spent time there, composing a letter to myself to be read in six months, so that I don’t forget what is burning on my heart now.
Today, I began a five day walk to the coast. My body is tired. Enough said…
I continue to see openings in groves of trees or vines of flowers. To me, they signify invitations to new beginnings. A line from Nichole Nordeman’s song “Seasons” has been resonating with me. Speaking of the season of winter and the coming spring, she says, “Even now in death, you open doors for life to enter.” Isn’t that how God works? My eyes are open to see where He might bring new life.
Henri Nouwen’s book Discernment has been a sweet companion these last two days. He says this about how Mother Teresa encouraged him, “She called me back to the discipline of prayer and being in God’s presence, which is the starting and ending place out of which guidance emerges.” His presence has been welcomed in my every walk on the Camino. May it always be my starting and ending point.
