We had two days to explore and enjoy Santiago. Top priority for me was to see if by chance during the 12 o’clock mass specifically for peregrinos (pilgrims), I would get to see that giant incense burner swing again. So, donning our raincoats and umbrellas, we took off for the great cathedral to take our place among our comrades who also made the pilgrimage.

Official stamp from one of our many stops along the Camino:

Posted on pews allocated specifically for those who had their “credential” legitimizing their presence. Pilgrims arrive daily from all over: Spain, France, Italy, great distances, many routes all with the final destination of Santiago. Whether a pilgrim has their credential or not (requirement of walking at least 100km), each day there are over 500 people in the noonday service!

Our completed “credential” qualifying us as official Peregrinos who have completed the Camino de Portugues!

Before leaving home, I, well, actually a friend, sewed a patch with a logo I have come to truly love: NOTW (not of this world). It’s actually a logo for a Christian clothing company, but sometime back if ever I have heard the voice of God it was the time He clearly told me, “I am your home!” It was one of the many, many times that I had been obsessively lamenting “…if only I lived in …; if only my house was …; if only I had …” Ever since that time, my perspective has changed. To what shall I cling to be happy…to be content? This world and what it has to offer or to the One who made the world and all He has to offer?

It’s not always easy, but today I find far more contentment in letting go of illusions of what might bring happiness for the peace and serenity that living simply as a pilgrim, on a journey, traveling lightly through this world in anticipation the next. Instead of Jon Brierly’s Guide to the Camino de Portugues, I carry and look for direction from the Word of God; instead of comforts from hearth and home, I seek solace and assurance from meditation; instead of thoughts of “when I get or have or am this or that,” I believe the when and having is in the final destination, a place of “no more tears” and standing in the all-consuming grace, peace and encompassing loving presence of Almighty God.

In the meantime, when I read several definitions of the word “pilgrim,” my heart resounded, “Yes! This is who I want to be and even am in my heart of hearts.”

Definition of a Pilgrim:
They have a destination in mind, and they look forward to getting there. If they pass through a scenic area, they’ll enjoy the beauty, but they won’t decide to move there. If they stop at a nice hotel, they don’t start hanging pictures on the wall and settling in. They have a transient mentality that affects how they live on the trip.
It is a person who makes a journey, often a long and difficult one, to a special place, often for religious reasons as an act of devotion. A pilgrim is a traveler, a wanderer, in a foreign land.

Hebrews 13:14
For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.

In miles and miles of walking, day after day, the similarities to our life’s journeys are endless. Here are a just a few that we became keenly aware of:

• When walking, as in real life, we can only take one step at a time.
• If we choose not to read and pay attention and do what the directions say, we get lost.
• The important thing is to complete the journey, not how fast we get there. In trying to keep up with others, we may miss the journey that God has for us.
• People who wished us “Good Camino!” reminded us how important it is to encourage others in their journeys and how encouraged and blessed we are by others who encourage us in ours.
• If we follow someone else instead of listening, reading, and looking for where to go, we may be following someone who is lost or doesn’t know where they are going or perhaps is even headed for a different destination.
• When we get cocky and think we know where we are going without paying attention to the signs and directions, we will surely miss the mark, ending up lost and have to go back, retrace our steps and find out where we got lost.
• Others are there to help; sometimes on the Camino someone would come along and point out which direction to go. God shows us the way in very real practical ways when we get lost. Stop. Wait. Look and listen for his direction.
• The rocks others (and we) left behind as symbols of what they were letting go of (and perhaps asking forgiveness for), most definitely lightened the load.
• Pain has to be discerned. Some pain is part of the journey. Some pain means you are on the wrong journey or doing it the wrong way and need to stop and redirect.
• Sometimes the path isn’t very pretty, but just around the corner, just moments away, the scene is completely different, lush and beautiful.
• Often our physical bodies are telling us something. It’s important to listen to what it is saying.
• Surroundings may be ugly but God is always present and offering a gift even in that moment.
• A backpack overstuffed with “just in cases” makes for a very heavy load. God is able to provide exactly what we need when we need it.
• Rest is an important part of reaching our destination.
• The destination is definitely worth the journey!

Last photos of how we spent our days and why the destination was so worth it!

Markers to show the way and rocks left behind by pilgrims willing to let go and let God.

Orchards, orchards, everywhere!

Horreos once and sometimes still used to store mainly corn can be seen everywhere.

Opportunities to fill up our water bottles often seemingly appeared from nowhere.

…and our destination, Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

…and the swinging of the Botafumeiro

Pulling the ropes for the giant pulley…

While this nun led worship, her angel-like voice resounded with nothing less than majestic clarity, bouncing off the magnificent acoustics of this old massive stone building. One man from Singapore told me, “I couldn’t help but weep.” And, he was not alone.

Happy to complete this portion of our journey…with renewed hearts and passion and vision, we look forward not only to today but all of our tomorrows as peregrinos de la vida (pilgrims of life).