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24. BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON - Leaving Astorga

November 22, 2011 St. Cecilia 


We've been telling Brend that he should watch 'Brother Sun, Sister Moon' because he is a Francis-like person and this morning I greeted him "good morning Brother Son" to which he replied immediately "good morning Sister Moon". We laughed and he said "well such a greeting needed a response!"

He, Jacquie, Aelfred and Kathrin have gone off to Manjarin to live the simple life in an albergue which is basically a hut run by a man who claims to be the last descendant of the Knights Templars. The place has no running water, toilets or electricity. They asked me to go but it's a bit too far for me now and anyway I've done the simple living experience in Tanzania when I stayed in the homes of parishioners in the villages.

I've arrived in the tiny village of Foncebadon at an altitude of 1,400 metres, a quaint, almost ruined place. It was a steady, demanding climb to get here. With Brend gone ahead the chances are that we will not walk together again. Becky & Mark are in a village 6k behind but they will probably catch up with me. I'm slowing down. My right foot  is causing me a lot of pain. But it's a pilgrimage, not a holiday camp!

Ramon arrived just ahead of me and I got a warm, welcoming hug from Lorna. PY is here as are Jose Miguel, Joan & Bea. There's a definite New Age hippie feel to the place. Javier Sierra is a friend of Jose and has just arrived to join him for the remainder of the Camino. A really nice man. They both worked in TV but have lost their jobs because of the recession. Javier says he is happy. He looks it. There are others I haven't met before. 

As we sit down to eat at a long table I feel a little bit out of the group and miss the three who have kind of adopted me as father. But it goes well. I'm sitting between PY & Lorna. Daniela & Ramon are opposite me. The man serving the food is really kind and gentle, as is the food itself - payella. The talk is loud and happy, the wine flows and I suspect it will go on for a long time!   

The Spanish elections have come and gone. The Socialists were defeated. I'm drawn to Socialism but I'm at odds with its exclusion of God and its unwillingness to speak for & protect the most voiceless of all - the unborn. I would like Socialism with God in it. The kind that Julius Nyerere had in Tanzania.

Back in Astorga there was some time for prayer and quiet in the Cathedral which opened at 9.00 a.m. Kathrin was there for a while before going to her simple living in Manjarin. I spent the rest of the day alone.

Before coming on the Camino, Pat Lynch invited me to join Ceili Community for a few years. I love what they do, the way that they do it and the fact that they are a mix of priests, nuns and lay people. I would love to join them for a while but I have been given my appointment to Shankill and I don't see myself going back on that. Pat says I will suffocate there, that my gifts will not have enough space. So I told him I would think about it on the Camino and pray for guidance. I'm on the lookout for a sign and if something clear isn't given then I will go my Pallottine Appointment. It's the life of obedience to which I'm committed and which I believe is the best way to go.

"From me, from me comes a song for the Lord" (Judges 5:3)

I escape to bed early. The notice says breakfast will be between 7 & 9 and we are asked NOT to get up before 6.45 am! Nice one!





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