It
was dark when we took our first steps on the last stretch of our
pilgrimage along the Way of St James. In some ways this seemed
appropriate ..the morning mist on the valleys as the sun rose, the
stillness broken only by the sound of our feet and the birds singing.
We
were both deep in thought as we began the climb out of Lavocolla, one
of the last stops along the camino. It is thought that pilgrims in the
Middle Ages used to wash in the stream here to arrive clean at the
shrine of St James.
Sue
took this story seriously and decided to wash ( just her hands ) in a
fairly fast flowing stream. Suffice to say she lost her footing, but
thankfully was wearing her Gor Tex boots and waterproof trousers!
For
the rest of our walk we were excited, but a little sad that our
pilgrimage was nearing an end. We were blessed by a beautiful rainbow
which lifted our spirits. As we. Drew nearer to Santiago the road became
much busier. Although from Mount Gozo it is no longer possible to see
the cathedral spires, we could still see the city, and from there it was
downhill until the final ascent to the cathedral steps.
We
arrived in time for the Pilgrims Mass - words fail to describe the
experience. We met lots of friends with whom we had shared the journey,
and we were all united in prayer and worship in the cathedral - our
final destination
...or is it?
St Augustine said:
"Behold our end which has no end."
He also said:
"Sing Alleluia,
and keep on walking!"
