a significant journey

 My Camino shoes, all washed and scrubbed up for the journey home
-hopefully clean enough to get through our Kiwi quarantine checks-
somewhat more battered than when they started the journey.

“Every significant journey changes us in some way.  

We are hardly ever aware of this while we are in the midst of it.  

We may have hints and glimpses of these changes 

but it is only later, in looking back 

that we gasp in amazement at what was being formed and shaped in our lives.  

Only then do we recognize how a new attitude, 

a stronger dedication, 

and a fuller passion stretched us into the fullness of life.  

Then we are able to identify the journey’s ability 

to propel us into unexpected growth."

- Joyce Rupp Walk in a Relaxed Manner

 Seen on Andy's Pilgrimpace blog- thanks Andy.

Compostela

"When I got upstairs to the office I asked if they had seen the queue. 

“Tell us” Eva said and when I did she blessed herself. 

“Headbangers” all, I thought fondly. Me included. 

Why else would we stand and wait for a stamp and a certificate 

which to many is just a piece of paper?

The answer is of course that it marks the end of a significant journey. 

A personal pilgrimage which has taken time and effort."

~from Johnnie Walker's blog posting,

about his experience in the Pilgrim Office

When I finally stood in the square in front of the Cathedral in Santiago

I knew I had achieved something that was both

-very simple- a succession of day walks, mostly not too hard, and also

-amazing- a feat of endurance and perseverance that had taken me nearly three months.

I wasn't really sure whether I should ask for the Compostela, or the non-religious certificate, 
but I knew I would treasure the piece of paper I was given at the Pilgrim Office!

Addendum: 25 August 

Rebekah has just reported a tragic death on her blog, where a Frenchwoman died in an accident on the journey home, after finishing her pilgrimage and receiving her Compostela. Those at the Pilgrim's Office immediately arranged a memorial Mass to pray for her. It adds a whole new layer of 'special-ness' to the meaning of the Compostela.

'...my friends at the pilgrim office in Santiago de Compostela got to work. They looked up the pilgrim credentials, they hustled over to the cathedral office, and the Monolithic Catholic Institution everyone rails against worked like a well-oiled machine to celebrate a beautiful memorial Mass for "la peregrina Frances."'

The end of the Camino

0.00 km marker near the lighthouse at Finisterre

"Blessed are you, pilgrim,
because you have discovered
that the true camino begins at its end."

~From Saint Anthony's Messenger, Aug 7, 2002
quoted by sil on Camino de Santiago Forum

I know that when I had finished walking
it felt like I had learned so many important lessons
about simplicity and calm, and taking time to listen,
and rhythms of the feet, and noticing the little things......
that my life would change when I returned home.

But back home, back at work,
life was so busy it was hard to hold onto that hope
and for a while I felt down, as if nothing had changed.

But then I realised, that peace and calm did reside within
that I had new priorities
I was no longer just fodder for the rat-race
and slowly slowly
this new simplicity
has been sending its roots deeper
into the soil of my being.

Be still for the presence -v2

"Be still, for the glory of the Lord,
Is shining all around.

He burns with holy fire,
With splendour He is crowned.

How awesome is the sight,
Our radiant King of light!

Be still, for the glory of the Lord,

Is shining all around."

"Be still for the presence of the Lord"
recorded by Fr Chris Skinner on CD "Truly Blessed"

There were so many precious moments on the Camino
that quite took my breath away,
and left me in the Stillness-

~ sunrise over O'Cebreiro
~ a rainbow over the mountains at Orisson
~ spiderwebs covered in raindrops or dewdrops
~ fields of green dotted with red poppies stretching out ahead of me
~ a realisation of the courage someone showed, walking in pain

It was a 'truly blessed' time.