The End and the Beginning

Warm greetings from rainy Santiago de Compostela!

We have arrived.

After the wind and drenching rain on Monday, most of us were dreading the hike to Santiago yesterday. But somehow the rain decided to hold off the entire morning, and brief bursts of sunshine welcomed us along the way into the cathedral city. Many of us stopped at Lavacolla for an ancient purification ritual (most Christians did not bathe along the route and cleansed themselves there before reaching Santiago), and it was a wonderful time to approach the world anew, with clean hearts and spirits.

Shortly thereafter was the ascent of Monte de Gozo, or the Mountain of Joy, the last big hill before reaching Santiago. From the top, we could see the cathedral city in the distance, and making it to this hilltop was a moment of great accomplishment for several of us. Peter and Celeste even carried two backpacks for part of the way, to help ease the burden for others. The walk through Santiago to reach our hotel was fatiguing, and I think we all collapsed upon arrival.

This morning we obtained our Compostelanas from the pilgrim office, documents that certify that we have made the long and challenging journey to this holy city. We then attended a Mass for pilgrims, and at the start of the Mass the presiding priest read aloud the nationality of each pilgrim who had arrived in the past day. The UK, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, the U.S., Colombia, Brazil, Argentina. . . there were pilgrims from all across the world. And we all had just experienced one common, incredible journey.

One point that the priest made in his homily was that our Camino is really just beginning. ¨La vida es un camino,¨ he said. Our role now is to live our lives and meet our duties with the same joyful enthusiasm that we have discovered on the pilgrimage route. This evening our group is gathering to debrief on our experiences one last time. . . and then we'll be directing our compass toward home, preparing to share what we have learned with our friends, families, and communities.

Peace and love,

Michael