THE CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA
Yesterday we went to an evening mass at the Church of Santa Maria! I loved it as it was personal and quaint. There was something about this church that touched me as soon as I walked in.
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SO WHAT WAS THE SURPRISE?
During the mass, a small group of nuns played guitar music. The nuns belong to The Order of St. Augustine! (My late father’s names was Agostino/Augustine). The priest finished mass and then he called ALL CAMINO PILGRIMS to come to the altar. There were over 80 of us. He had each of us speak one by one and say which country we were from. He held his hands out and blessed us all. Â The priest then came to us one by one and making the sign of the cross on our foreheads, blessing each of us with a safe and happy Camino!
ANOTHER EXTRA SPECIAL SURPRISE!
The small star below was handmade by the same nuns who were playing guitar during mass. Was it a coincidence that they came the one night this month and it was the same night I was there. It was heartwarming to me that that they were from The Order of St. Augustine.
The priest said that each time we look at this star, someone in the world is thinking of us! VERY SPECIAL!
We ended the blessing by gathering around this statue of Santa Maria of the Camino while a special blessing song was sung. This gathering song is a tradition that many pilgrims have done for over 800 years!
KEEP WALKING!
What an amazing day!
Dear Dan — Knowing the ones we love and love us are always around and watching over us renews our faith in everlasting life. Thank you again for sharing your Camino with all of us. Your words and photos are so inspirational!
Dan,
I don’t know whether or not you realize it Dan, but your trip is inspiring your friends at home. Hello from your St. Rose friends who are following you.
Been clicking around on your blog a few times. Very interesting and love the photos! Will start my own journey from Jean Pied on Monday. Buen camino!
ENJOY EVERY moment of YOUR Camino! My only advice is to remind you that this is your journey, walk at your pace, look up (sometimes we look too much at the ground), and if you need to bus a section remembeR, DO IT YOUR WAY NO ONE ELSE’s.
Enjoy,
Dan