At the entrance of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is the “Portico of Glory,” the triumphant entry way that pilgrims traverse to make their way into their final destination (though some will continue on to the sea at Finisterre (“The End of the Earth”). Upon passing through the portico, we will find the pillar where thousands of pilgrims have come before, placing their hand in the worn-out space: a mark of a journey many have made and continue to make.
From there we will go to the Pilgrim Mass and have our Camino passport stamped. We have officially completed the Camino!
While you may not be in Spain as you read this, you too have come to the end of our journey.
After hundreds of miles and hundreds of prayers, we come to the place we promised we would go 15 days ago. We have “walked” as best we could and as we come to the end. Yesterday you began recalling the movements of the Spirit along the way, but today we truly gather the graces of the Camino we have made these days.
Today, think back to the first day of our journey. What grace did you ask for in this time? Did you receive this grace or did God have something else in mind for you? If you had to name the grace of this experience in a word (or two) or a phrase, what would it be?
Sit with the graces you’ve experienced these days. Give thanks to God for the journey. Say a prayer for those who walk with you and for safe travel for Sister Colleen and her companions as they/we make our way home.