Time seems to move at a much slower pace on the Camino, probably because I’m moving at a much slower pace too. The main reason I asked my bishop for this sabbatical was that I could see in very concrete ways how my fast paced, approach to life and ministry was killing me and my vocation. I could have gone for further studies or some academic program on this sabbatical but I knew that what I needed was a time to simply stop trying to meet another goal or complete another project. Granted, finishing the Camino is a big goal, but the day to day is rather simple: wake up, get ready to walk, walk, stop, rest, pray, eat & drink, sleep, repeat. Though the days are very demanding, the pace is exactly what my soul needs. A brother priest told me that his sabbatical was ‘healing’. I am starting to understand what he meant. Thanks be to God.

The past few days have been good ones. I have been able to get some good mileage on my feet with minimal problems and have enjoyed a change of scenery from the endless fields of the meseta to the rolling hills and greenery that mark the approach to Santiago. In addition this, one wonderful thing happened rather unexpectedly. A little over a week ago I thought I had lost my rosary that I’ve carried with me nearly everywhere for the last 14 years. I know I need to not be overly attached to earthly things, but this rosary had many prayers and memories wrapped up in it. After a few days of searching and searching again in the places it could be (there are few places when you literally have one bag and two pockets), I resigned myself to this reality and bought a new rosary at the Cathedral in Leon. The Lord gave me peace with it being gone and I continued on the trail with a new set of beads. A couple of days ago I reached opened a pocket on my bag that I rarely use because I only had a backup pen in it and as I reached in to grab the pen I felt that familiar feel of my rosary beads. I didn’t lose it! It brought a great smile to my face and my prayers were full of gratitude that evening.

The next day I walked to Astorga and was looking for a place to offer Holy Mass. the Cathedral only had morning Masses but I was told of a chapel nearby that had an evening Mass. I hobbled over to the chapel, which was merely a block away, and went inside. I turned to the sanctuary to find Eucharistic Adoration taking place! God’s Blessings continue to pour forth! And what’s more, it was a convent of cloistered Poor Clare Sisters and the Sisters were there and soon began praying the rosary with the community. The Mass itself was wonderful. The priest’s reverence was inspiring to behold and you could tell he was truly praying every word. The Sisters lifted up their voices to heaven and I couldn’t help but wonderful if the congregation knew how truly blessed they were. The Mass was offered for a new bishop for their diocese and my prayer was that this man or one who loved Our Lord like him might be named their shepherd. It was truly a night of grace beyond what I had hoped.

Yesterday and today brought us to the highest elevation on the Camino and to the famed Iron Cross. The climb and descent were difficult but made worth it by the views that surrounded us. The Iron Cross is a cross on a large pole surrounded by rocks. The rocks of varying sizes are typically carried by pilgrims representing the sins they want to repent of, the things they need to let go of, and burdens given to Christ to handle. I placed my (far too small) rock on the pile of rocks and offered Lauds (Morning Prayer). Today being an Ember Day, the first Psalm was Psalm 51 - the psalm of David’s repentance for his sins. Standing beside the pile of rocks I noted the breviary reflection that this psalm is recited at the foot of the cross in repentance for our own sins. What an appropriate place to pray it - at the foot of the Iron Cross, surrounded by signs of sin and repentance. Liturgical Providence found in moments like that continue to show me that Our Lord is mindful of us in small ways often beyond what we are mindful of. Today I knew for that moment that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Taxi rides, long days, short days, rest days. They were all taken into account, a sign of His infinite love for us.

They said that part three of the Camino is the spiritual part and that seems to be happening in rather impressive form. The Lord is not to be outdone! So, I continue to keep my eyes on Santiago. I am in the single digits as far as days before I conclude this pilgrimage. I don’t know how but I am grateful.