Apostolicity

Post-Camino

2011-10-15T13:46:00.003-05:00

I'm home now making the transition back to the usual life - feet have to heal, beard got trimmed today (I shed the Confederate General look), sleep cycle needs to get back into sync with U.S. Central time, etc.. I do have a couple of weeks left of my sabbatical leave so I am trying to get my thoughts together about the amazing experience I have just enjoyed.

I am also going to go back through the blog and redo the photos and add some more commentary too. The new stuff will be in blue. So please feel free to look back through it all - it may have changed some since last you looked. Hasta luego.

Santiago!

2011-10-10T16:32:00.001-05:00

Well, I made it into the city on Sunday morning in time to make the mass at the cathedral. And the botafumeiro flew AND I have front row video!! (See below) AND I have visited the tomb of one of the Sons of Thunder! A new dear friend, Santiago. We have been through much together.

On the Monte de Gozo

Saturday was a brutal day's walk of 35.5 or so km. I stayed the night on the Monte de Gozo. It is a sprawling complex just outside the city - my friend's guidebook described it as "designed by an architect suffering from a bout of depression." I believe it. A harsh experience, but one that set me up for an easy stroll with which to finish.
It was a tremendous feeling to realize the end of the journey. No more forced marches! As I do not have easy access to the internet ~ this is being sent from my phone in the lobby of the pension that I am staying in. I will get pictures posted as soon as I can.

I fly home the day after tomorrow. And then the feet can heal up.
Adios!!

October 8th

Arzua

30 klicks to go..

Another high performance tractor

In the stretch

Eucalyptus

More crosses by the airport.

The end of the runway

On the Monte de Gozo

October 9th

The first real glimpse of the Santiago Cathedral.

The tunnel into the Cathedral square - the last few steps.

I made it!!!!!!

Incredible sky.

The Botafumeiro was hung ready to fly.

The view from my room at the Pension Badalada

The Gran Quemada
A flaming bowl of hooch - don't ask me. It is what it is.

The like their pulpo so much it is Calendar Art

Maureen and Shani

Miguel Cervantes on the pole in his plaza.

Glenn and Lynn from California - my fellow Americans.

Looking down the nave from high in the West end.

Up on the roof - the granite roof!

A rooftop panorama.

My favorite plaza in Santiago de Compostela
Praza da Quintana

The Civil War General look

Moonrise over Santiago

She stole the show - and they let her!

Magnificent at any hour.

Arzua

2011-10-07T09:05:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was another very long day. I put in 30 km to reach a country albergue at Maito Casanova. The four of us who were walking together just managed to get beds. The first place we had planned on was closed for a week, the second was full, and this was our last resort. My friend Peter´s guidebook said that there was no food available in the area.

The group at the dinner we fell into last night
at the out of the way albergue.

Another Camino Miracle - There was not any food at our albergue BUT we got picked up and driven to another albergue off of the Camino that did prepare a Pilgrim's Meal - Roasted Pimientos (red and green chilies) and albondigas with fries (they always give you fries!) and tiramisu for dessert with rough country bread and plenty of the house wine - made on the premises. It was quite good.

We were then driven back to our digs where we were packed ten in a very small room. I awoke at 4 to what sounded like gunfire. One shot about every four minutes or so. I still don't know what that was about. The result was that many of us were awake and up before 6. Sunrise here is about 8:00. So we headed out into the night to make some mileage. It was an interesting walk in the dark - but we arrived safely in Melide for breakfast at a café.

Santiago backing up the tabernacle in the little church in Boente.

We walked on to get a sandwich lunch in Boente at a roadside place after visiting the church of Santiago (self-service sello) and then on into Arzua by 2:30. I am checked in at the Via Lactea Albergue. (Very nice!)

Today was only about 20 km. Tomorrow I plan on putting in the big push to the Monte de Gozo on the outskirts of Santiago. I figure it is about 35 km from where I am tonight. The albergue there has 500 beds, so I figure a late arrival will still result in a bed. My intention is then to get up on Sunday and do the 5km into Santiago for the Mass at Noon, where the rumor is, the Botafumeiro will fly. Well, that's the plan - I just confirmed a room in a pension until Wednesday morning. Amazing!

Hasta luego.

Walking today was mainly through eucalyptus forest.

One of the bazillion fuentes along the camino.

A Gallegan Corn Crib - this one tricked out like a little church - these are all over the place.

Portomarin

2011-10-05T11:08:00.000-05:00

Well, I logged another 28 km today and am now inside the 100 km limit and closing in on Santiago. A few little nagging foot problems, but nothing unbearable. I walked through Sarria this morning and have now experienced the influx of fresh clean pilgrims of several sorts - those carrying packs like mine, those carrying daypacks, and those just bouncing along with nothing (because the bus is meeting them at the next bar in the next village). Those of us that have been on the trail for quite some time are now exchanging knowing looks.

Yesterday was an amazing walk out of the mountains and today was even more of the same. We have shed an amazing amount of altitude very quickly. These Spaniards just cut roads straight down - hard on the knees, but you descend quickly - and tractors have low gears for climbing.

Tomorrow I am heading for Palas de Rei another 26 km - the objective is Santiago by Sunday, in time to watch the Bota fly at noon. Feet, don't fail me now!

Hasta luego.

Entering Galicia, climbing up O Cebreiro. The final province of the trip.

The eucharistic miracle at the church in O Cebreiro -
the host and wine turned into flesh and blood.

Pilgrim fun.

The view off of the top.

San Mamed del Camino

2011-10-04T11:59:00.001-05:00

I am just outside Sarria with just over 100 km to go. Alto de Poio through Triacastela to San Mamed del Camino. I walked 28 km today ~ so it looks good to make it on time. Very limited internet here. More soon as possible. Hasta luego.

Saturday, October 1st ~ Molinaseca through Ponferrada to Cacabelos. 25.4 km.
I stopped in Ponferrada across the street from the Templar Castle for morning coffee. It was another hour until it opened, so I contented myself with a view of the exterior.

The old pilgrim bridge into Ponferrada
The Camino took us way around to enter town over this.

The Templar Castle

The white blood donation truck parked right in front of the Camino waymark
and so pilgrims started to miss the turn at the castle.

I was about out of cash as we were going through Ponferrada, so I attempted to use the ATM of another bank than mine - my card was rejected! I figured that since it was the first of the month my bank had decided that I had been in Spain long enough! Anxiety set in - Maureen, one of our crew, was kind enough to lend me some funds, but the towns we were headed for were smaller and it was Saturday....

Monetary Relief in Cacabelos

When we got to Cacabelos and had checked into the albergue there, I called the US and was assured by my bank that there was nothing wrong with my card. "Try another bank's ATM," they said. Check out who came through for me. As it turned out, just last week, Banco Pastor was bought out by.... Banco Popular!! Maureen was repaid and I was funded for more walking - we celebrated with a steaming platter of pulpo and some white wine. Quite tasty!!

Shani, Maureen, and Peter,
Israel, Ireland and Canada, respectively.

Around Cacabelos, the grapes were being harvested. We just happened upon a bodega celebrating the harvest with really inexpensive wine, .40 a glass!

Mary & Georgina (two more from Ireland) with Peter at the bodega.

Sunday, October 2nd ~ Cacabelos to Vega de Valcarce. 23.7 km.
From Cacabelos it was through Villafranca del Bierzo and then a choice had to be made - the guidebook showed three different ways to go - we took the middle way, along the road up through the Bierzo valley. The other two looked to involve more climbing up and down hills. The road route was very nice with more villages along it.

Sunrise outside of Villafranca.

Villafranca in the morning.

More pilgrim fun.

My usual Peregrino lunch - ham, cheese & tomato bocadillo (baguette sandwich), gorp, and Aquarius

A contented Camino cat.

Saint Jimmy along the way.

Finally, some live pigs - Saw enough ham, but not many on the hoof.

Full bodied beeves

A major highway had replaced the road as the preferred route so traffic really was not an issue. The highway was almost a road in the sky, quite a lot of very elevated roadway.

I did get to Sunday Mass at the parish church in Vega de Valcarce. A young priest celebrated in a very lacy alb (shades of Fr. Guptill) he did a fine reverent celebration with the assistance of a very poised young lady of maybe 8 years of age. She read the intercessions even!

It being Shani's birthday, after Mass a gang of us peregrinos retired to a local eatery to celebrate the anniversary of her nativity with the ritual of the Menu de Peregrino ~ the standard 3 course meal with a bottle of wine.

Monday, October 3rd ~ Vega de Valcarce to Alto de Poio. 19.6 km. [(accrued ascent 1400 m = 7 km) 26.6 km adjusted for climb.]

This was the big climb of the latter part of the Camino. Not quite as high as the Cruz de Ferro, but definitely steeper. But the rise through the valley was pretty spectacular, and the scenery tremendous.

In O Cebreiro I ran into Corey, a woman from the Netherlands I had met earlier on the Meseta. She had developed an infection in her foot and was worried that she would not be able to finish her Camino. I asked her if I could say a prayer for her. She allowed as how that would be fine with her. I laid my hands upon her head and prayed God to heal her. We said goodbye to one another and I continued on out of O Cebreiro. We traveled through O Cebreiro and from there on to the Alto de Poio (the last bit of altitude before the descent into Triacastela).We stayed at Alto de Poio in the Albergue del Puerto and ate the menu de peregrino at the Hostal/Bar across the road. Jose' the waiter kept his hat on. A fun meal and a good night.

Tuesday, October 4th St. Francis' Day (a famous peregrino)
~ Alto de Poio to San Mamed del Camino 28 km.

Dawn at the top.

A detour for pilgrims

Peter entering a rather cute little stone church.

Down you go!

The morning saw the incredible descent from the mountain at Biduedo into Triacastela. There we took a break for the obligatory bocadilla. This time ~ Jamon y queso y tomate = a fine combination! In Triacastela we had the experience of a man driving a tractor up a narrow street towards us. When he got up to us we, quite naturally, got out of the way. He leaned out of the cab and told us that the apple tree we were standing next to was his. He then insisted that we wait while he picked several apples for us. It was such a nice thing to do - give a peregrino a manzana. The apples had an interesting white flesh. A kindness.

Corey turned up in Triacastela - she was having lunch at a cafe as we passed through - she said her infection was clearing - I pointed out - prayer works! She said she hoped to be able to make the walk in from Sarria.

On the far side of Triacastela we met Monica, a young woman from Lithuania who had walked from Le Puy in France - a distance double that of those of us who were walking from Saint Jean Pied de Port. Monica took the option with us that bypassed the monastery at Samos. We took the path to the right that promised to be steeper but 6.5 km shorter. It was a beautiful way to go.... but steep! And just for the record, the Brierley Guidebook map for this section of the Camino has a mountain in the wrong place!!

Triacastela stonework

Maureen, Monica, and Peter

Quite Tolkienish...

The fuente just before San Xil.

Where is Brierley's mountain?

We pressed on aiming for the Xunta albergue at Calvor. We arrived to discover they had plenty of beds, but no food anywhere nearby. So it was on through Aguaida to a nice private albergue at San Mamed del Camino. There they just had room enough for us all. We enjoyed a fine vegetarian common meal there. There was also a good collection of Camino cats there - only fitting to finish St. Francis' Day with animals. Peter had a toad in his room.

Another contented Camino cat.

Peter and a playful Camino kitten.

Molinaseca

2011-09-30T10:53:00.003-05:00

Rabanal del Camino to Molinaseca 26.5 km (29.5 km adjusted for the descent)

What a great day to walk. I started this morning with the monks and the Office of Lauds and that set up the rest of a fine day of travelling. I walked up from Rabanal through Foncebadon to the high point of the Camino. I walked with Johanna, a clarinet maker from Germany that I had met out in the Meseta outside of Leon. The Cruz de Ferro was kind of a circus. There were two busloads of tourists there when I arrived. But that was after the fine welcome I got from a friendly gato negro in Foncebadon. The cafe con leche there was very welcome. I did stop in after the Cruz at Tómas the Templar's place at Manjarin but he was up the road picking blackberries. "Dona nobis pacem" from Henry V was playing there - I found that it stayed with me on the trail - and then as it was playing in my head, an incredibly wonderful moment of grace as I walked. Just a feeling of rightness about it all, it was very good - Deo Gratias!! (Not the first time it has happened on this walk!!) Now the truly wild thing - The text from the end of the Kenneth Branagh film is "non nobis Domine non nobis sed nomini tuo da gloriam." "Not unto us Lord, not unto us but to your Name give glory." It was a Templar motto and a fine thought - which is obviously why it was playing at Manjarin. What I swear I heard was that tune BUT with the words, "Dona nobis pacem Domine." "Give us peace Lord." Amazing!

The descent from the top was pretty brutal. Spaniards don't do switchbacks - you just charge straight down. I stopped in Acebo and got a bocadillo and visited with Maureen, who was also taking a break. Just before the boots went back on the right big toenail decided to leave me - Blessed relief!

Nice Stonework in Riego

Riego Santiago

Maureen caught up with me at the fuente in Riego de Ambros and we walked together into Molinaseca. So Molinaseca was when my feet finally screamed at me to stop the madness and find a bed. I am at Santa Marina. Mary and Georgina had arrived there before us. We ran into Peter and Shani in the old town and the four of us had dinner together at La Posada de Muriel. It turned out that the four of us would, pretty much, finish the Camino together. I plan to see Ponferrada tomorrow as I pass through - I want a look at the Templar Castle there and try to see if Cacabelos is the place to stop. I am doing well now timewise - so we shall see.

Hasta luego.

At Mass last night in Iglesia San Salvador in Rabanal

Sunrise over Rabanal del Camino

The King of Foncébadon and his throne

The obligatory Cruz de Ferro shot

La Cruz de Ferro

The Templar's place in Manjarin

The Molinaseca main drag - Calle Real

Molinaseca's Santiago statue

Giant Molinaseca onions - those are big peppers too!

Rabanal

2011-09-29T10:07:00.000-05:00

I had a very good walk today. I think it helped that there was a convenient village every 4 - 6 km. I was better hydrated for sure - Coca-Cola makes a product called Aquarius which is nice for replacing what I am sweating out. The weather was overcast and cool, but not anywhere near cold. Just a fine day to be climbing hills. It is a gradual steady climb out of Astorga up to Rabanal. Tomorrow, the Cruz de Ferro - the high point on the Camino. I was concerned about my ankle again this morning, but with deliberate walking and a smoother path today - no problemo.

We had just a spot of light rain this afternoon as we waited for the albergue to open - I was under a tree, no need for the poncho to be used.

I am checked into the Albergue Guacelmo. It is run by the British Camino Confraternity - a lovely place, very clean and well appointed. It is adjacent to the parish church AND a monastery of German monks. Their cantor is in the hospital I am told, but I am looking forward to Mass this evening and later Compline with a pilgrim's blessing in conclusion. The albergue even has a magic clothes centrifuge like the one I used yesterday in Astorga. Water just flies out of your clothes and drying takes no time at all. These are big Camino concerns - how do you feel? Where are you sleeping? Are your clothes drying? Can you go to Mass on St. Michael's Day? You know, basic fundamental questions.

Afternoon tea was served at the albergue - how civilized! At tea I met Mary, Georgina and Maureen, all from Ireland. After Mass I had dinner with Mary, Georgina, Peter and Shani at a local restaurant. It was a nice introduction to Peter (Canadian) and Shani (Israeli). Shani and I had been walking near each other the day before on the way into Astorga but we had not really talked.

Confession time - Yesterday in Astorga I found Old El Paso flour tortillas in a vacuum package. Yeah!!! Nothing like a chorizo, queso, and tomato burrito to restore equilibrium to the universe. Feeling good - Hasta luego.

A Maragato village.

A Camino Landmark - the Cowboy Bar

Give a peregrino a fence and crosses will result
- this one went on for about a kilometer

The Church of San Salvador in Rabanal

Lunch al fresco - an echo of home!

The other church in Rabanal.

The view up the Camino this morning - I am in the mountains now - Pines!
Goodbye Meseta.

Astorga!

2011-09-28T11:40:00.000-05:00

I got up this morning in Leon with no shin pain - a little discomfort in my left ankle - but not devastating. So I got to the bus station and caught the 8:00 bus to Hospital de Orbigo, making up for the convalescant day in Leon. The big claim to fame of Hospital is the bridge - a very long medieval bridge built over a Roman bridge. There was once a knight who took the bridge and challenged all comers to joust. Kinda like the Black Knight scene in Monty Python's Holy Grail...."It's just a flesh wound..."

I felt pretty good so I took on the 16 km to Astorga. The Albergue here, San Javier (a name out of my family history!) had everything I needed - a bed, a nearby supermercado (playing cool jazz music), the Cathedral, another Gaudi building (Episcopal Palace), hot showers, good laundry facilities (even a centrifuge to squeeze the water out of your newly washed clothes!! What luxury!) And to top it all off, even a cold water fountain to soak my ankle in!!!!

I did go check out the Cathedral (done in red stone) and its museum. Very nice. Father Stainbrook would have absolutely lost it in the vestment display rooms - I know I was moved. Then the displays of Holy Hardware, just amazing. Some very fine medieval Holy Artwork as well - a series on Saint Antony and one on Santiago. There was also a very cool panel of the Twelve Apostles. Mass is at 7:00 at the Convent next door and then supper and to bed. Tomorrow I begin the climb up into the mountains toward Rabanal on the way to the Cruz de Ferro, the Iron Cross - the high point on the camino. It isn´t the going up that is tough - it's the going down. It is real hard on the body.

Gaudi Building in Leon

Leon Cathedral at night.

Stained Glass in abundance!

Seen on the street in Leon.

The Cathedral font in Leon.

A massive Saint Christopher on the wall.
He has survived suppression apparently!

Leon in the morning.

Puente de Orbigo

Pilgrim fun in the hills outside of the Orbigo valley

The view of Astorga looking past the Bishop's Cross

Shani on the pedestrian bridge over the railroad
on the outskirts of Astorga.

The Cathedral in Astorga - Red stone.

The Tympanum at the main door

The Holy Apostles Panel

Just the barest taste of what was under glass there.

On the narthex side of the Choir in Astorga looking East.

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Altar

The Astorga Gaudi building - The Episcopal Palace!

In Leon

2011-09-27T11:16:00.001-05:00

I am in Leon in a hotel having another rest day. Yesterday I limped in to Mansilla de las Mulas with a sore ankle on one leg and shin splints on the other. I think the result of too much roman road! Cobblestones for miles are not kind to the ankles!

The cathedral here is extraordinary. Its museum magnificent. Marvelous stained glass in abundance! Aside from touring that, I have just hung out in the plaza today resting my legs, praying for healing.

Tomorrow I will bus to Hospital de Orbigo and resume walking. Resting has cost me precious walking time ~ I want to make the last 100 km on my pins.

Happy Birthday, Lydia. You are a joy! I love you!!
Hasta luego.

Saint George on Antonio Gaudi's Casa de Botines

In the Cathedral

A very cool Saint Luke - Shades of Fr. Brown

The door to the Cloister Museum

In the Cloister

A staircase up into the Museum

Santiago!

A Tenebrae Hearse

Santiago Matamoros on the outside of the Cloister door

Said doors

Vaulting in the Cloister

I love this waterspout

The High Altar

West of Sahagun

2011-09-25T11:21:00.000-05:00

My apologies for the dearth of posts this week. I stayed two nights in Burgos getting myself back in walking form - hydration, food, rest. It all makes a huge difference. Because of my overall timetable, from Burgos I took the bus 60 km up the road to Fromista and resumed walking. I stayed in the municipal albergue there - there were 6 sets of bunkbeds in the room I was in. The church there San Martin is one of the pure gems of the Camino - a 13th century romanesque marvel. We have to talk about capitals for columns when I get back!

Since I jumped 3 days into the meseta, the walk from Fromista was straight and level up to Carrion de los Condes (on 9/23 about 20 km.). I checked into the parish Albergue there, Santa Maria. It was another room with 7 sets of bunkbeds. I got the Peregrinos meal at a local restaurante - salad, a pork guisada dish with French fries (you get fries more often than not with your main course) and flan with the obligatory bottle of the local red. I shared the table with 2 nice women from New Zealand, Elaine and Jenny. The restaurant folk want to pack as many peregrinos in as possible so I tend to get put together with other when I show up alone. When I got back after dinner there was a feast being prepared by a group of 9 kids that had banded together. It was amazing, they had a blast AND cleaned up after themselves and got to bed by 9:30.

The next day was a trek from Carrion to Moratinos (9/24 about 33 km!). Through the Camino forum I had made the acquaintance of a couple who had bought a house in Moratinos (which is pretty much the halfway point of the Camino from St. Jean). Rebekah and Patrick had extended an invitation to me to stay with them for a night at their house, the Peaceable Kingdom - they have 4 dogs, two of them greyhounds, a cat, a budgee, and some chickens. For years they have taken in stray pilgrims, but with the opening of a new Italian albergue in town, traffic at their house has slowed. We did also have Grant with us last night. He is walking the Camino in a kilt doing massage for donations or food. The camino most of this stretch is old Roman road and runs pretty straight and true through the landscape and since there are not many villages, I am now in the part with some long days with no shade. Thankfully we have had some clouds in the morning and moderate temperatures, so all in all, it has been nice weather for walking. Well, my visit in Moratinos was marvelous! A real bath and a real bed. Supper was entirely out of their garden - wonderful gazpacho and a vegetable quiche and some good wine. One of the features of Moratinos is the underground bodegas. Rebekah showed me theirs (I left my camera in their car, drat!) They look like hobbit houses. Inside they are a constant temperature. Reb and Paddy just use theirs as a winecellar, pretty cool. Their neighbors are combining a couple and making the front a restaurant bar for the peregrino trade. Much more could be said about Moratinos.

This morning I had a late start out of Moratinos - I bumped into the New Zealanders and we walked together into Sahagun. Then I pressed on up the camino to Calzadilla de los Hermanillos. I got in late so I stayed at a Casa Rural run by Leo and his wife. Leo is a crazy Cuban - a whole lot of fun. When he found out that I am a priest he wanted a blessing, then he wanted me to bless his wife, and then he wanted me to bless their unborn child. I was happy to oblige. I met Michael and Anne from Ireland at dinner. Tomorrow will be another long lonely walk up the Roman road (about 24.5 kms) no villages, just the open meseta. So I need to go find some supplies before dinner.

San Martin in Fromista.

Inside San Martin

San Lorenzo

Tipis at the private albergue here!
I wasn't stopping for more than a drink of something cold and wet.

A Meseta panorama.

Santa Maria de Blanca under reconstruction - a Templar Church
Unfortunately I could not get a look inside.

Our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament in
the Poor Clare´s Convent in Carrion de los Condes.

Santa Maria del Camino

The pigeons were not terribly reverent.

Roman road on the Meseta.

In Moratinos ~ Peaceable Pooches, Rosey and Tim

Rebekah Scott and Me Own Self at the church in Moratinos.

The marker at the end of Palencia and the beginning of Leon.

Seems like a lot of chain for a very small dog.

Ermita Virgen del Puente outside of Sahagun

St. Benedict's Arch at the edge of Sahagun.

A very old bridge leaving Sahagun.

(The little road of the little brothers?)

A Meseta Canal

Another Meseta morning heading out of
Calzadilla de los Hermanillos

Tuesday in Burgos

2011-09-20T11:43:00.001-05:00

After the Luxury of the hotel/albergue in Villafranca Montes de Oca, I am now checked into the municipal Albergue in Burgos. It was an incredibly long day, but fruitful in terms of mileage logged. (30.4 km + up and over the mountains in the heat!) Walked over the Montes de Oca this morning into San Juan de Ortega. I stopped there and had a ham and cheese sandwich and a couple of cups of coffee with milk. (Now I could have given all that to you in Spanish to make it sound more exotic - but it is what it is.) From there it was out of the hills into Ages and on to Atapuerca - the oldest European human remains were found there - who knows, some ancestor of mine might have been hanging around the place 900,000 years ago!

I then made a climb over another little mountain, a very rocky trail! I still don't see how some people are doing this walk in tennis shoes. My ankles needed all the support that I could get today. Today was all about walking - I am going to try to make the pilgrim's mass at the Cathedral in an hour, get some supper and then to bed.

And now some pics -

The dawn this morning in the Montes de Oca.

Monumento de los Caidos
Monument to the fallen of the Spanish Civil War

Some of today's suffering in the Montes de Oca -
the Spanish don't do switchbacks, so straight down, straight up!

Ancestor?

Atapuerca hill

A place to rest and contemplate Burgos in the distance.

Pilgrim fun.

The view up the street in Burgos.

The East end of Burgos Cathedral

El Cid mural in the undercroft

The South Portal

The Christ Chapel where the Pilgrim Mass was celebrated.

The East Portal

The North Portal

Peregrino Posture - Check the feet!
Sculpture at the Municipal Albergue

Breakfast = Desayuno

Puerto Santa Maria

El Cid is everywhere in Burgos

Santiago Matamoros

Tenebrae Hearse

The Cloister

Peregrino Paella

El Cid, you guessed it!

Weary pilgrims

The Castillo

Check out the make of this Azofra tractor!

Paella in Viana - the worst night's sleep after one of the better meals. Thin little pads on the floor of a crowded room. Never again if possible.

Santiago Matamoros outside of his church in Logroño.

I think that catches up the pictures - I have more, I just need to be selective about uploading. Hasta luego.

Monday in Villafranca Montes de Oca

2011-09-19T08:42:00.003-05:00

I spent last night in Redecilla del Camino. It was fairly tightly packed and yet, I had one of my best night's sleep on the Camino thus far. I toiled solo up the highway today through Belorado, Tosantos, Espinosa de Camino and now I am ensconced in an albergue in the back of a very nice hotel in Villafranca Montes de Oca. They have internet, but I think it is a Linux system and I am not getting anywhere trying to upload pictures. So that will have to wait. This place is a wonderful change of pace - downright luxurious. My guide book says the owner walked the camino and this is his way of putting something back in. This peregrino appreciates it.

If I put in a long day tomorrow I could make Burgos, but there is some more altitude in between to climb, so we will see. I have a nagging blister or two, but it seems there is no real Camino without some pain.

Rising Camino

Iglesia Santa Maria in Belorado

Rio Tiron

9th century Monasterio de San Felices de Oca

Oca means goose
The geese of the Montes de Oca

Tapas!

In the bar of the poshest Albergue on the Camino.

Villafranca Montes de Oca in the evening light.

Viana - Santo Domingo de la Calzada

2011-09-18T08:58:00.001-05:00

Well, actually I am on beyond Santo Domingo, past Grañon in a little village called Redecilla del Camino. I am nursing a couple of blisters on my left foot, and my seasonal allergies have found me in España. So, sniffling my way across the countryside, but absolutely enjoying it. Last night was spent in Cerueña [more about that in a minute] and the night before in Navarette. I went to Mass this morning in Santo Domingo at the cathedral where the chicken miracle took place. In the Middle Ages a pilgrim boy was accused of theft and sentenced to hang. His family continued on to Santiago mourning the loss of their son. On their return back through town they found the boy still hanging and still alive! They went to the sheriff and demanded that he be cut down. The sheriff was just sitting down to a chicken dinner when the boy´s parents arrived at his house - the sheriff said, "That boy is no more still alive than the chicken on my plate." - At that, the chicken on his plate jumped up and ran from the table. The boy was cut down and the family returned home happy to have their son restored. Ever since, two chickens are kept alive in the cathedral.Take my word for it - I have pictures, taken this morning, unfortunately the computer here won´t let me post them.

Today (9/18) was a fiesta day in Santo Domingo. So we had bands marching through the street, and church bells pealing, and the cathedral was packed. Certainly all the town big shots were there - it was quite a production. Smells, bells, the works - it was very fine - and then at the conclusion they processed out with a big silver statue of Santo Domingo - he's a local worthy that did much to improve the Camino for pilgrims - He is the one that kept the boy alive miraculously until his parents could return for him. They also processed out of the cathedral with a statue of the Blessed Virgin (with real hair waving in the breeze!) The band started playing again and I made my way out of town determined to make it at least this far today.

Santo Domingo de Calzada

Pre Mass in Santo Domingo - Brasil, USA, Australia, Denmark

I love the guy leading the band -

He's the one playing the..... cigarette?!?

A little bit bigger and better.

The live memorial of the Chicken Miracle
That's a Cock and a Hen

Santo Domingo's Mausoleum over his tomb in the Cathedral.

The image of Santo Domingo de la Calzada
going for a trip around the block after Mass.

Likewise the image of the Virgen.

I am really getting into the rhythm of the daily walk. I find that I naturally do about 5 km an hour - and do better uphill than down. And there have been lots of hills so far. Just before stopping this afternoon I passed out of the region called La Rioja and into Castilla y Leon. It won't be too much longer before I get out onto the Meseta, a great plain in the center of northern Spain.

Out of La Rioja and into Castilla y Leon

Last night's stay (9/17) was at a little private albergue in Cerueña called La Virgen del Guadalupe. It was at the top of a big hill at the end of a 33 km day. Pedro, the proprietor, had 10 of us right where he wanted us - the posted price was more than twice what was in the guidebooks, but we were too tired to walk the 6 km. more into Santo Domingo. It was a weird little place with room for just the ten of us. He fed us dinner for another excorbitant charge - salad, bread, lentils and chorizo, yoghurt and wine. It was all edible, but not really spectacular. Breakfast this morning was overdone toasted yesterday's bread and lots of coffee. Another Camino experience. Seven of the 10 of us did manage to go to the local and have a beer together in the afternoon - misery loves company! One Dutchman, a Spanish woman living in Holland, a German woman, a French man, an American woman, a Danish woman and me. An amazing mix of language happening - quite fun! More to come, pictures, when possible.

Rioja vineyards

Seen on the street in Azofra
High-performance tractor... just saying.

At the top of the brutal Cerueña hill.

The day before that (9/16) was spent walking from Viana to Navarette through Logroño. I would have to say that it is probably the least attractive part of the Camino Frances. The walk into Logroño was nothing to write home about and getting out of town was through a seemingly endless not very attractive park. I arrived at the cathedral San Martin just in time for the 9:00 Mass - Norman and Annie from Germany made it also. After Mass I toured the cathedral and then headed over to the Church of Santiago. The church has a large Santiago Matamoros outside of it. Sadly I didn't manage to get a sello (stamp) at either church.

Santiago Peregrino in his church in Logroño

Santiago Matamoros at his church

Logroño Cathedral

Logroño

After the park, the Camino climbs through a vineyard and then over the hill through an ugly industrial area into Navarette. Along the highway I came across the first fence of crosses made by peregrinos. It was rather poignant in the midst of the ugly scenery. The weather was also closing in - the cloud deck was lower and more threatening all of the time.

The only squirrel I saw in Spain!

Peregrino crosses

Albergue in Navarette

I got to the municipal albergue in Navarette and got checked in. The shower on my floor wasn't draining so that slowed the cleaning up process. It did thunder and sprinkle a little but not enough to bring out the raingear although it did bring in the drying laundry. After finding the farmacia and the supermercado, I did enjoy a marvelous pilgrim's meal with Peter and Mary McAndrew (from Australia) at a nearby restaurant.

Thursday 9/15 was the leg from Los Arcos to Viana. After breakfast with Johanna and Heidi and the purchase of some flipflops (with a rather piratical theme!) and the ditching of the uncomfortable crocs. I then walked solo to Viana. Along the way I met Christine, an American woman who had obviously been ravaged by bedbugs. She said she had gotten them at an albergue at Irache near the wine fountain. I stopped at the square in Viana in front of the Church. Johanna arrived and took a break also. I went and bought a pair of zip-off leg pants at an outdoors store for 50% off and got contact solution at a farmacia all within a few steps of the Iglesia Santa Maria. Heidi arrived and we decided to see if there was room in the parochial albergue there. There was, but when we saw the sleeping rooms were going to be rather, shall we say, "close", Johanna decided to go on down the road. Heidi and I stayed. The dinner that night after the Pilgrim's Mass was a wonderful paella. But the sleeping arrangement was on a very thin "mattress" in a crowded room. It was not a good night for sleeping.

The view from the parochial albergue in Viana

Cesar Borgia is buried outside the church

Iglesia Santa Maria in Viana

A truly great paella!!

An outdoor altar

Adobe bricks

A Camino perro seen outside of Torres del Rio.

Puente la Reina - Estella - Los Arcos

2011-09-14T09:46:00.003-05:00

(Wednesday 9/14) Where in the world am I? Los Arcos! Just had a tremendous walk from Estella and Puente la Reina the day before that. And Cizur Menor before that! The internet thing has been hard to manage. I stayed at the parochial refuge of San Miguel last night in Estella, no internet. BUT I had a great dinner with everyone else - a marvelous salad followed by garlic soup (you have to have it to believe it!) and then yoghurt for dessert. The night before was spent in Puente la Reina at the parochial refuge there. There is a nice group of us all moving at about the same pace so we are ending up at the same refuges. The night in Puente a group of us threw in together and made supper in the refuge kitchen. Walking does bring on an appetite!!

I keep reflecting on the country here and it's similarity in some respects with the American Southwest. Lots of similar plants and of course, the Spanish influence. It makes for a kind of strange deja vu - almost! It just adds to the mystery of this whole experience. You get up in the morning, ablutions, get your pack together and out the door walking. Everyone is going and so you go. Every day has its own pains and problems. (This afternoon I discovered that I left my other trousers hanging on the clothesline back in Estella - tomorrow I will buy some new ones in Logroño. Dammit!)

Yesterday was characterized by many hills, and I do mean hills. It seems to be the lot of the pilgrim to tackle hills. And so you do. Why? Because that is the way the Way goes. So, a step at a time, with breaks if necessary, the hills are managed. But, rest assured, there will be more tomorrow.

Today was a fantastic walk out of Estella. We stopped at the fuente del vino and had a sip of wine from the fountain (pretty rough stuff!) and then on to Monjardin, another cool medieval hill town under the hilltop ruins of the Castle of San Esteban. The church there, San Andres was very nice. From there it was 12 km through uninhabited farm country - vineyards and newly harvested wheat fields into Los Arcos.

I am at the municipal refuge here, "Isaac Santiago." Tomorrow it is a long trek into Logroño, but that is the way it goes. Hasta luego!

More pilgrims over the Hill of Forgiveness (Alto del Perdon).

Uterga

Johanna and Heidi with fresh almonds off of the tree.
We walked up on two Japanese guys knocking them out of the tree.

The Church of San Esteban in Muruzabal

A pimiento field near Eunate - the harvest in progress.

Templar Church at Eunate
(Closed on Monday when we were there.)

Obanos Plaza

Y Crucifix at Iglesia del Crucifijo

Peregrino Stew in Puente la Reina

Heidi & Johanna and the famous Puente la Reina

Cirauqui - a very cool hilltop town.

A very familiar morning shadow

Cirauqui Cats.

Cirauqui

Medieval bridge over the Rio Salado

San Miguel

San Miguel in Estella

The Virgin of Le Puy

Communal afuero meal at Albergue San Miguel

Boots on the ledge - mine on the right

Castillo de San Esteban de Monjardin

More Camino Cats

The Castle of San Esteban above Monjardin.

Los Arcos tower

Isaac Santiago Albergue
A converted schoolhouse

Iglesia Santa Maria on Holy Cross Day

Confradia de la Santa Vera Cruz de Los Arcos

A very old organ that sounded great!

Johanna in the Santiago Choir stall

Me too.

The Confradia guys after the Santa Cruz Mass

Zubiri - Post Pamplona

2011-09-11T14:12:00.000-05:00

Well, I am in Cizur Menor, just outside of Pamplona. Crossing the Pyrenees I was carrying a 2 liter water bottle on one side of my backpack and nthe result was on the descent into Roncesvalles I think I strained my left thigh. The good news, Spain is rather free with the ibuprofen. So, I have medicated my leg. And I have taken two relatively easy days. I stayed in Zubiri out of Roncesvalles. That was an incredibly grueling day through some stunning countryside. It could have been Colorado or even North Carolina. Beautiful pine forests but a lot of steep downhills. And the going down is even harder than the going up. After Zubiri yesterday, we headed to the outskirts of Pamplona - Stayed at the beautiful albergue of Trinidad de Arre. We had a lovely meal in the albergue, throwing together what individuals had picked up. An amazing mix of folks from Israel, Brasil, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Great Britain and France.

Today, I got up and went into Pamplona and went to Mass at the Cathedral. A fine service with incense!! Generally, It is just amazing how well we are treated. We also stopped in to the Church of Ss. Saturnino and Fermin. The sexton let us stay in the church and look around after he had chased the non peregrinos out. As you are walking down the street people honk their horns and shout, "Buen Camino." The Way is very well marked and anytime we have asked someone for directions, care has been taken to make sure that we understand. It has been lovely in that regard.

Physically, it has been a real challenge. Once I figured out the water bottle imbalance, the thigh problem has improved. I continue to be amazed at how God has provided over and over again. Needs have been met, time and time again. Blessings are all around. But we have also come to the conclusion that "Pilgrims must suffer." There seems to be a toll exacted. Everyone has some sort of pain that they are dealing with. I walked around Pamplona yesterday afternoon and woke up this morning with one blistered toe and a blistered heel, not from my high dollar hiking boots, but from the Crocs that I took to wear after the serious walking was done. Another Camino miracle, we walked into the Albergue at Cizur Menor this afternoon and the hospitalera, Maribel volunteered to look after our feet. I got my two little blisters looked after and received a lesson in how to lace my boots!! Tremendous. The promise is that tomorrow I will float over the mountain - the Alto de Perdon, like the kids in E.T. Well, I am not holding my breath, but I do think I will be more comfortable. But climbing is climbing, and you don´t get to Compostela without putting one foot in front of the other.

Tomorrow, the plan is to get over the mountain, see the church at Eunate that the Templars built and then make it into Puente La Reina where the Camino Arogonese joins the Frances Route that I am on.

The takeaway lesson has been the wonder of God´s providence. Johanna, a fellow peregrino (peregrina, I should say), needed to get her sleeping bag shipped back to Germany because it was too heavy, (she had just bought a much lighter one) and out of the blue a guy shows up able to take of that for her, despite it being Sunday and the Post Office is closed. It is amazing - You are wondering if you are headed in the right direction, look around for just a bit, and a sign will be there, either a yellow arrow, a shell in the sidewalk, or another pilgrim down the block from you. It is truly amazing. Likewise, the churches in Pamplona have been a wonder. More pictures when I get home.

Enough for tonight, The Alto de Perdon tomorrow - the Hill of Pardon. Up and over.

Roncesvalles sign - you have to start somewhere.
This is the Spanish start point.

Breakfast stop here out of Roncesvalles.

That is a killer hill behind me - many more to go!

A fortuitous sign

Jill & Larry from Colorado

The Irish Peregrino

Peregrino fun

Trinidad de Arre

Streets of Pamplona

Magdalena bridge into Pamplona

The Pamplona Citadel walls

Portal de Francia

Pamplona Town Hall

The Sunday Gospel read

Heidi and Santiago

A respectful distance

The cathedral cloister

Giants in the marketplace

Colourful wares, as they say.

Maribel's fork fed turtles

St. Jean to Roncesvalles

2011-09-08T11:45:00.000-05:00

Well, I made it!! The Pyrenees have been traversed - at least the worst of it. What an incredible day. Left St. Jean at about 6:50 and got into Roncesvalles at 5:30 or so. I didn't know you could keep going up for so long. But we had an incredible day for it. Just a few clouds from time to time, but otherwise just incredible blue skies and green mountains for some incredible vistas! In addition to the view we were also joined by fat horses, cows, and much sheep. The bells on the animals made a nice melody. The unexpected treat was a few handfuls of fresh blackberries along the way.

The legs were screaming near the top, but the final drop into Roncesvalles was the real punishment. Just inside Spain I stopped at Roland's foutain and topped off my water.

Roland's Fountain

I will be getting the pilgrim's meal at an adjacent restaurant in just a few minutes - Last night it was soup, lamb chop with french fries, a basque cake, and a fourth of a bottle of wine. Quite good - fuel!

And now, pictures!

Saint Jean Pied de Port

Saint Jean

I think a candle or two gets lit here.

From up the wall.

The panorama from the citadel

Brisk activity at the Pilgrim Office

Packed and ready to begin at 6:30 a.m.

Leaving Saint Jean 6:50 a.m.

Eduardo, Lori, Elke, and Javier
Spain, Israel, Germany, and Spain

The cow wants to know what he is laughing about...

The Virgin of the Pyrenees

Fat happy horses.

About to descend to Roncesvalles

Down there!

The albergue at Roncesvalles

After the Pilgrim Mass

Pamplona

2011-09-07T06:19:00.001-05:00

I am in the bus station in Pamplona - just finished a very nice Jamon y Queso Bocadillo and a beer. What a civilized way to travel! The train ride up here from Barcelona was great. I have my ticket for the bus to St. Jean and it sallies out of here at 2:00. So I have a few minutes to peck away my location and a thought or two.

The country we traveled through on the way up here could have been Arizona or New Mexico. No wonder the Spaniards were not put off by the Southwest of what is now the US. It looked like home. And I felt at home this morning looking out over that landscape whizzing by. Oh if we had what Renfe has in the way of passenger rail! As we went further north the landscape got greener and more lush. Lots of cornfields. And every little pueblo had a church in the center. Wow!

I fell in with a bunch of pilgrims from the train and we managed to get from the train station to the bus station without incident. I am still searching for raingear. I was promised the store in St. Jean has what I am looking for - the Altus atmospheric rain poncho - really a big raincoat with a hump in the back to cover the backpack - sleeves, not open sides. I will see what I can do about pictures at my first opportunity.

Hasta luego.

Goodbye Barcelona

Pamplona - following the pilgrims to the bus station.

Outside the bus station.

Barcelona tonight ~ France tomorrow

2011-09-06T16:04:00.001-05:00

Karen is on the way home and I am making do with a phone on free wifi. I had a great time this afternoon on the tourist bus seeing many of the places we saw with Domingo and his family. What wonderful people! Up early in the morning to catch the train to Pamplona... Santiago!!

Barcelona Day 6

2011-09-05T02:46:00.002-05:00

We went to Mass here in Igualada this morning. An interesting experience - a simple reverent celebration. Then after a continental breakfast at the Hotel America in town, we went to Barcelona for the day. We had a tremendous lunch at the Port. Arroz calderosa mariscos!! I know Lee+, I should have taken a picture, but I was too busy stuffing my face. Tremendous! Then we rambled up and down Las Ramblas. On the way in and out Domingo gave us a first-class driving tour of the city. Then back home for another tremendous Peruvian dinner en casa at 10:30 p.m. (normal!) And then to bed.

The Barcelona Suppository (Our host's observation!)

At the foot of Columbus' Column

"I think it's maybe over that way..."

Just a touch of covetousness

Don Quixote de Las Ramblas

Copper Cowboy

The picture can´t catch the scale of this - Muy grande!

From Mont Juic

And then home to Igualada past Montserrat.

Barcelona Day 5

2011-09-03T11:34:00.001-05:00

Well, I don´t know why I titled this Barcelona Day Whatever. We are actually in Igualada, a charming town about 40 miles outside of Barcelona. The last couple of days have been spent here in town just knocking around. The Basilica here just knocks your eyes out. Karen and I were just out for a stroll and we stumbled into an old folks home run by a community of nuns. A tremendous facility and some magnificent stonework. If the internet cooperates I will post some pictures.

The High Altar of the Basilica

In the Placa de Creu

The Blessed Sacrament Chapel of the Basilica of the Blessed Virgen Mary

Inside the chapel in Sant Crist

Llar de Sant Crist

Barcelona Day 3

2011-09-01T14:54:00.000-05:00

We got back into town this afternoon only to get my train ticket to Pamplona and to visit Guell Park another Gaudi treat. Unfortunately it seems my gmail account has been compromised - so everyone has gotten a viagra email from me apparently - only apparently!

Oh well, enjoy today´s Parc Pics.

Guell Parc above the Gaudi House

La Sagrada Familia from Guell Parc

I´m supposed to tell you this is where we are staying - the room on the left with the balcony....

Marta, Kareen, the Gaudi Lizard and me.

Barcelona Day 2

2011-08-31T15:58:00.000-05:00

We went in to Barcelona today from Igualada. The major purpose was to visit La Sagrada Familia Catedral. What a magnificent structure! The interior is open, but much construction is still taking place. More towers are going up as well as the great central tower over the crossing. The projected finish is in 2030. I am just going to have to come back, that is all there is to it!

The Passion Facade

The parabolic vault

Marta, Domingo, Me and Karen

Gaudi´s Bosque - Forest

We also had a fine and leisurely lunch down at the Marina - El Cangrejo Loco (The Crazy Crab!!! Eat your heart out, Spongebob!) My first taste of Paella and a host of seafood starters AND a very nice cabernet from Rioja. These folks have no problem with vino tinto and seafood! And I have no problem with paella.

Outside of the Crazy Crab.

After lunch we made our way to the old Cathedral in Barcelona. Mucho reconstruction happening there. It too is an amazing structure. The altars in the side chapels just knock your eyes out. The cloisters there reminded me of the purpose of the garth at Holy Apostles. A cool and peaceful oasis. Of course my new friend Santiago is around tambien.

The Sanctuary with the Crypt Chapel underneath

La Sagrada Familia from the roof of the Old Cathedral

The Sanctuary from the Choir

The Old Cathedral

Santiago Peregrino

Santiago Matamoros

The Cloisters - No geese in ours thankfully

They have a fountain in theirs too!

Then we rambled about for a bit - I am looking for an Altus Poncho. No luck so far. I do know I can get one in St. Jean, but I might be able to score one for less here. The search continues. We rambled through Las Ramblas too - spotted a demon posing for pictures with the tourists. And we also visited the mercado San Josep - Any kind of fruit that you would like is on offer. What an amazing sight! (no pictures, I wasn´t thinking.)

More manaña.

In Barcelona...Finally!!

2011-08-30T12:57:00.000-05:00

After quite an ordeal, Karen and I made it to Barcelona this morning. We were delayed in New York for 4 hours. The plane was leaving on time when the flight crew found some computer problem - We went back to the gate and sat for almost two hours. Because of the new passenger´s bill of rights they had to let us off of the plane. They did and gave us vouchers for some food. And then at 9:00 we were summoned to reboard. It was almost ten before we were airborne. So...... Barcelona at 11 this morning instead of 7:10. Our hosts here are wonderful folks. They patiently waited for us at the airport. And then another hour while the luggage came off. I had a sinking feeling that my pack had been lost when I did not find it on the carousel. But lo and behold, it was sitting right outside of the lost luggage counter. All was well. Domingo and his daughter Ursula got us rounded up and in the car and off to Igualada for a hot shower! And then lunch! Peruvian faire: a very nice salad, A beef with tomatoes over rice dish - Loma saltador or something like that. And then, we loaded up and went off up into the mountains to Montserrat!

Santiago´s Mark

And as we were walking in toward the basilica I looked down and what did I see in the sidewalk? A scallop shell - I had stepped onto the camino (There are many roads that lead to Compostela!). I was pretty well overwhelmed by the Basilica and the image of the Virgen. I said a prayer for Fr. Ralph and my brother David asking Nuestra Señora´s intercession for healing. What a powerful place!! And gorgeous!

Asking a favor or two.

I was bowled over by the history of this place and the aching beauty of its natural setting - perched up in the craggy mountains between Igualada and Barcelona. Just amazing.

The Image of Nuestra Señora is up high in the middle over the sanctuary.

Cousin Domingo, Karen and I at the candle grotto.

Well that is enough for now - Barcelona tomorrow:

The view from Montserrat.

Would you look at that!?!

Re: In NYC. Next stop Barcelona.

2011-08-29T20:08:00.001-05:00

We are just about to leave New York. We should be in Barcelona about 11. Say a prayer.

Chris +

On Aug 29, 2011 4:30 PM, "Christopher Cantrell" <ctcan@swbell.net> wrote:

It is quite fresh and clear here in the Big Apple. Scrubbed, even. The plane boards in 25 minutes. Adios Los Estados Unidos, hola Espana.

In NYC. Next stop Barcelona.

2011-08-29T15:30:00.001-05:00

It is quite fresh and clear here in the Big Apple. Scrubbed, even. The plane boards in 25 minutes. Adios Los Estados Unidos, hola Espana.

The Ultimate Spain Training Day

2011-08-26T12:13:00.000-05:00

Under the faint light of the waning moon I got out this morning about 5:30 for my last training walk. The humidity was definitely up so it was, in some ways, the most uncomfortable walk thus far. (Warning Rant Commencing!) There is a crew working on a gas pipeline down the road and a construction crew moving a lot of dirt from the new drinking water plant site to another spot nearer to my house. Big trucks are running up and down the road. A stretch of road that had been newly repaved has now been dirtied up by the truck traffic - which makes for quite a bit of dust getting kicked up every time someone drives through. So the peace of the area has been disturbed. And consequently, there hasn't been much in the way of wildlife to sight. The local critters stay away with all the human activity. I haven't seen any deer in over a week. And then when I got far enough away from all of that to maybe see some activity, a runner, out for an early morning run, passed me by with a cheerful, "Good Morning." I am sure she sent anybody who might have been out scurrying for cover. I did see a couple of rabbits along the road a little later, but not much else in the way of fauna. Funny how I have gotten so possessive of my training route. This whole area is on the map to be developed soon - I do want to enjoy it while I can. Oh well, today was supposed to be about the walking anyway. The sunrise today was pretty spectacular and well worth being out for.

Wednesday Morning roost.

Back on the branch this morning.

I meant to bring my Office book with me so that I could read Morning Prayer at the turnaround in the parking lot of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church. But in my haste to get on the road I remembered my omission only when it was too late to go back home and get it. So canticles from memory accompanied the breakfast peach at the halfway pause. On the way back in I checked at my other breakfast point for the bird roosting in the tree overlooking a pasture. And sure enough, there he was in his favorite spot - a creature of habit. I know the feeling.

I'm now watching all the coverage on Hurricane Irene. We are scheduled to fly through New York on Monday midday, changing planes at JFK. It does look like the projection is for Irene to hit New York on Sunday morning - So, here's hoping 24 hours will be enough to let us slip through to Europe. Say a prayer or two please.

More Visuals - Dawning of Days - A Little Texas Color

2011-08-23T14:39:00.000-05:00

It is sometimes surprising what awaits you right outside your door. The Father does something magnificent most every morning. To observe it is a privilege and a joy.

Spain Is Just A Week Away.

2011-08-22T21:26:00.003-05:00

A week from now I'll be on my way to Barcelona. And a week after that I'll be just over the French border in the little town of St. Jean Pied de Port and about to begin a 500 mile trek. It still seems a bit unreal.

Turkeys!

Since the previous post, my training has proceeded apace. I have pretty much become a regular fixture of Old Weatherford Road. I've walked the length of it, stretching a Friday walk out to 11.2 miles, that's about 18 km. Folks heading out to work in the early morning wave to me as they drive by. The guys building the drinking water plant greet me as I pass by. And I think even the cattle along the way are getting used to me too. And now, I've got two more morning outings to go before departure for Spain. The last few times out I have managed to leave the house a little earlier and have gotten a taste of walking by moonlight. There is something spectacular about being out and about when the world is waking up. The sky on any given dawn is a joy. I guess I had forgotten how magnificent a sunrise can be.

Most every outing has also brought some kind of encounter with the local fauna, wild and domestic. Birds, bunnies, bovines, and Bambis; it is all pretty fine. Several pastures along my route are populated with cows and their calves. The babies are curious about this strange humpbacked character passing by, but not too curious. They seem unsure whether to investigate or bolt for the safety of mama's side. It makes for an interesting walk.

It has been in the mid-80s most mornings when I leave the house. A check of the Spanish weather sites reveals that is about the high on the Camino right now. Oh I can't wait to get out of the Texas oven we have been in this summer.

Dawn!

Out and about...

A few more pictures:

A bunny in the moonlight.

Deer crossing!

Training for Spain

2011-08-02T16:31:00.004-05:00

Well, I have my new backpack - it is an Osprey Exos 46 Liter. Things have changed quite a bit since I bought my last pack back in the Dark Ages. This thing is very lightweight and quite comfortable. It has all sorts of bells and whistles. My hydration system fit right into it. There are a multitude of straps with which to adjust the ride of the thing on my hips. The object in backpacking, strange as it may sound, is to not carry anything on your back - the load needs to ride on your hips. This pack does a wonderful job of doing just that. The way that the frame is made also allows air to circulate between my back and the pack which adds to the comfort of the thing quite a bit. Needless to say, I am quite impressed with my new mobile home.

I went out yesterday with it for the first time. I had about 75% of what I will carry in Spain in it. And I am certainly glad that I did. I need to get my legs used to the additional weight. Ideally, I should not carry over 10% of my body weight, roughly 20 lbs. But I have not weighed it yet, nor have I gotten really serious about trying to reduce every gram I can. That will come later.

I titled this post "Spain Training," so perhaps, I ought to tell you what I am doing in that department. Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings I have been walking; breaking in my boots and my feet and legs. I get up at 5:30 and am out the door by 6:00. That gives me some time to walk before the sun comes up over the horizon. Mondays and Wednesdays I have been doing walks of five miles.

Two and a half miles out and then take a little break, sit on a pasture gate and eat a peach (peaches are really good right now)! And then walk back home. It really is nice to live on the edge of town. A block away from my door and I am out onto a country road along rolling pasture land. Even as beastly hot as it has been this summer walking at dawn has been very nice. The return leg home is generally uphill and with the rising sun in my face. So by the time I get home, "sweat" is pretty much the name of the game. The picture below is a look back down the penultimate hill before home - one mother of a hill!

On Fridays, with a bit more free time, I have pushed myself for more distance. The first few weeks last month I extended the walk a mile in each direction, turning around at the gate of the Walsh Ranch North Star. So five miles turned into seven.

Last Friday I decided to take it a mile and a bit further, and extended the outbound leg all the way out to Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. That made for a total round trip of 9.4 miles.

I was fine going out and did manage to make it back without injury, but I was sure feeling it on the last hill before home. An average distance that I need to cover if I am going to make it in 33 days is 15 miles per day. So far, the new socks and boots are wearing in well - no blisters. I can certainly tell the change in my fitness level. And with just under four weeks to go, I'm optimistic that the Camino is something that I can do. That's probably enough for today. Hasta luego! Adios!

Feliz Dia de Santiago!

2011-07-25T17:29:00.001-05:00

I received my Credencial de Peregrino (Pilgrim's Credential) in the mail this past Saturday. I am getting more officially a pilgrim every day it seems. The Credencial is my entree to the refuges along the Way. It is also the way that I will prove to the fine folk at the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago that I have walked the necessary distance to qualify to receive the Compostela (The certification of the completion of my pilgrimage). It has spaces on it in which I can collect stamps from refuges and businesses along the way to prove I have actually made the trek. Many of the stamps used are ancient, all of them are unique. And, of course, at the end, will provide me with a great souvenir of the journey.

The Camino Provides

2011-07-19T17:17:00.005-05:00

The Scallop Shell is the symbol of the Camino and of Saint James the Great, for that matter. It was long the custom for pilgrims returning from Santiago de Compostela to wear a scallop shell as a sign of the completion of their journey. (Crossed pilgrim staves also, see right) It is, after all, only a few days walk from Compostela on to Finisterre (the end of the Earth). Just as it was the custom for pilgrims to the Holy Land to bring back a badge of crossed palm fronds as a sign of the completion of their pilgrimage. Pilgrims to Rome wore a badge called a vernicle - a reference to the veil of Saint Veronica - the napkin with which she wiped the face of Jesus and onto which the image of His face was transferred. It was said to be in Rome since the late 8th century. So it was obviously one of the sites pilgrims to Rome would be expected to visit. An alternative Romero badge was the crossed keys of Saint Peter or a depiction of the heads of Saint Peter & Saint Paul. It used to be that you only wore your badge on the way home as a sign of completion. But nowadays, the shell has come to be worn as a pilgrim badge both coming and going to Compostela.

It is helpful to be able to recognize a pilgrim when you see one. The reason for this is simple. Spiritual benefit is to be gained by making a pilgrimage. For those unable to go themselves, it has been long understood that providing hospitality to those who are on the way was also spiritually profitable, especially to the one extending the hospitality. In the Middle Ages, the pious nobility of Spain established and endowed hospitals for pilgrims all along the Camino. These hospitals (hostels) were places where pilgrims would find food and shelter, very often for free. They were also places where injuries sustained along the way could be treated. I suspect that is where our modern definition of hospital came from. One of the things that I have heard very often since beginning to plan for this pilgrimage is - "The Camino provides."

The picture at the top of this post is but one example of Camino providence. I had recently begun to eye the scallop shell that Karen has in her small collection of shells we keep in our bathroom window as a potential candidate for my own badge. I didn't really know how else I might come by one. But then last Sunday, I opened the parish mailbox to discover a package. It was addressed to me and had come from England. And within the package were the two shells, conveniently drilled with cords attached, a small spoon with a scallop on the handle (for yoghurt, or a soft boiled egg, or morning coffee, or just a post-Camino aide memoire), a small packet of hollyhock seeds (to plant along the Camino) and a note. The package was sent to me from a pilgrim friar in England who had seen my postings on a Camino forum. And knowing that I would be setting out soon, Brother David wrote that he "felt compelled" to send these things to me. He explained that this is how the Camino "works." He took the time and made the effort to track me down - and I had not given any other contact information other than Fort Worth, Texas. Amazing! Thank you again Brother David! So Karen's shell is safe and it won't be going to Spain after all.

I have read many amazing accounts of pilgrims unexpectedly finding that which they needed as they made their way. It is humbling and wonderful. And this is but one of several incidences so far! As one of my parishioners says, "It's a God thing, Father." So it is. Gracias a Dios!

A Plan Coming Together

2011-07-08T17:20:00.004-05:00

Through an amazing confluence of circumstances, I will soon be heading to Northern Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago. I am going on pilgrimage to visit the shrine of the Holy Apostle Saint James the Greater, Son of Zebedee, the brother of John, one of the Sons of Thunder. I plan on walking the Camino Frances, a 500 mile path from the French border town of Saint Jean Pied du Port to Santiago de Compostela. My parish has seen fit to grant me a sabbatical, and so I am training for the trek across Spain in September and October.

I was inspired years ago when my friend and colleague, Father Lee Nelson walked the Camino upon his graduation from Nashotah House. He blogged his camino and I was captivated. I thought at the time how great it would be to do the same. But I clearly remember thinking that the opportunity was highly unlikely. And yet, here I am. The plane tickets have been purchased. I have been working on my Spanish for months now (very slow progress there - a poco a poco.) The Rosetta Stone course, and a great online resource called Coffee Break Spanish. I have begun walking seriously - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. And today, I got fitted with the boots that I will make the trek in - Asolo Fugitives. The footwear expert at the Backwoods store is a guy named, .........wait for it..... Walker! I can't wait to see if he really knows his stuff - I think he does. Next week, I plan on getting my backpack.

So, check back in from time to time and see how I am getting on.

Alleluia, Christ is Risen!

2011-05-01T07:24:00.000-05:00

A Blessed Holy Week to You

2011-04-18T18:58:00.001-05:00

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility; Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Seems like just yesterday it was Christmas...........

Blessed Christmass

2010-12-28T12:03:00.001-06:00

O God, who didst wonderfully create, and yet more wonderfully restore, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, thy Son Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Michaelmas

2010-09-29T10:04:00.000-05:00

A Blessed Michaelmas to one and all!!

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust down to hell Satan and all wicked spirits, who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Holy Cross Day

2010-09-14T06:50:00.000-05:00

O GOD, who dost gladden us upon this day by the festival of the Exaltation of the holy Cross: grant that we who have acknowledged the mystery of redemption here on earth, may rejoice in the everlasting fruits thereof in heaven. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Hood County Case hase been put on hold.

2010-09-04T08:39:00.000-05:00

Suzanne Gill has posted to the diocesan website:

In the Hood County litigation concerning a bequest to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Fort Worth, Judge Ralph Walton today granted a motion for abatement (postponement) of the suit until the Tarrant County litigation in Judge Chupp's court is resolved. A conference call with Judge Chupp and the attorneys on how that case should be styled is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 14. Please continue to pray for our lawyers in that case, Shelby Sharpe and David Weaver. +++

Court hears arguments on summary judgment filings

2010-07-17T10:36:00.002-05:00

(Thanks to Suzanne Gill)

HOOD COUNTY, Texas – In a hearing today Judge Ralph Walton granted three motions favoring St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Fort Worth, as well as the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and the Corporation of the Diocese. At issue in the case is payment of a bequest made to St. Andrew's in 2002 by a longtime parishioner. As he had done in past hearings on earlier motions, Judge Walton dismissed attempts by representatives of the national leadership of The Episcopal Church (TEC) to bring issues from a case pending in Tarrant County into the trust case before the Hood County court.

Judge Walton began by approving a motion asking that the Diocese and Corporation be identified by their legal names in an order issued following a hearing on June 2. This substitution corrected inaccurate and informal descriptive terms suggested by representatives of the TEC interests. Next, the court found that Bishop C. Wallis Ohl, serving in The Episcopal Church, had no legal interest in the bequest to St. Andrew's. The filings submitted in Bishop Ohl's name sought to make the judgment dependent on resolution of an ecclesiastical dispute between the Diocese and TEC loyalists. The judge also denied a motion brought by the trustee of the bequest which would have delayed the hearing of the summary judgment filings to another date, contingent on proceedings in the Tarrant County case.

Proceeding then to arguments on the summary judgment*, the court heard pleadings on behalf of the trustee, the TEC cross-plaintiffs, and the Parish, Diocese, and Corporation. The judge concluded the hearing saying that he would inform the parties of his ruling in writing. His decision is expected in the coming days.

Today's rulings bring the case nearer to a conclusion. Bishop Iker expressed gratitude for the wise counsel provided by J. Shelby Sharpe and the entire legal team, as well as appreciation for the prayer support of today's proceedings from the clergy and lay people of the diocese.

Episcopal Church proponents suffer legal setback in Fort Worth

2010-06-26T15:52:00.003-05:00

Episcopal Church proponents suffer legal setback in Fort Worth

FORT WORTH, Texas - On Friday, June 25, the Texas Second Court of Appeals granted the Diocese's Petition for Writ of Mandamus and instructed the 141st District Court to modify its ruling of Sept. 16, 2009, to the effect that there cannot be a second Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and a second Corporation of the diocese.

In April 2009 attorneys for The Episcopal Church joined Mr. Jonathan Nelson and Ms. Kathleen Wells, representing local TEC interests, in a suit against the Diocese and Corporation. The case was assigned to the district court under the Hon. John Chupp.

Applying neutral principles of law, Friday's decision found that "a corporation cannot sue itself" and that "it is undisputed" by both plaintiffs and defendants "that there is only one Corporation and one Fort Worth Diocese."

"[W]hile Mr. Nelson and Ms. Wells may be authorized to represent the individuals who hired them," the appellate court said, "these attorneys have not established their authority to represent or appear on behalf of the Fort Worth Diocese and Corporation as required by rule 12 [of Texas Rules of Civil Procedure]."

The ruling dismisses that portion of the original suit that "is purportedly brought on behalf of the Corporation and [Fort Worth] Diocese." The trial court must "strike the pleadings filed by Mr. Nelson and Ms. Wells on behalf of the Corporation and the Fort Worth Diocese and bar them from appearing in the underlying cause as attorneys of record for those named plaintiffs." The appellate court also lifted the stay of proceedings, clearing the way for the trial court to comply.

Responding to Friday's decision, Shelby Sharpe, attorney for the Diocese and Corporation, said, "We are very gratified by the excellent and well-reasoned opinion from the Fort Worth Court of Appeals. It simply follows the plain language of the law on what is required for an attorney to represent a party in a court proceeding."

To the plaintiffs' argument that this decision could be delayed, the Court of Appeals responded that there was no need to wait for the eventual conclusion of the trial to correct the trial court's abuse of discretion, since that could add unnecessary costs to the burden of litigation initiated by the April 2009 suit. It noted, too, that the trial court judge would be "unnecessarily confused by presentations from two opposing factions who claim to be the Corporation and the Fort Worth Diocese."

While it declined to settle the question of "identity," the appellate court affirmed that conventions of the Diocese and the Corporation formed in 1983 and led by Bishop Iker voted in 2007 and 2008 to withdraw from membership in TEC and enter into membership in the province of the Southern Cone, and that Bishop Jack Iker and the Corporation's board were all duly elected to their positions.

Bishop Iker has responded to the ruling saying, "We rejoice in this favorable decision by the Court of Appeals, and we give thanks to God for the expertise of our legal team in enabling us to prevail in this critical issue of who can represent the Diocese and the Corporation. While we realize that our opponents will continue to pursue litigation against us, this successful first step reinforces the soundness of our legal strategy to protect our identity, our property, and our assets."

Bishop Iker requests continuing prayers of thanksgiving and guidance for our lead attorneys, Shelby Sharpe and Scott Brister.

http://www.fwepiscopal.org/downloads/CourtOfAppeals062510.pdf

Saint Michael's Conference Southwest is in full swing.

2010-06-17T11:30:00.000-05:00

We have 65 Michaelites - a total population of 89. And we are having a tremendous week steeping in the life of the Church Catholic.

A Really Good Day

2010-06-04T17:10:00.002-05:00

I haven't blogged for a while. Most recently because I've been out of the country.

I had the good fortune to be present for the National Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk, England this past Monday, May 31st, the Feast of the Visitation. I heard the crowd estimated to be about 2,700 people. Over 200 priests and 25 bishops concelebrated the Mass on the old Abbey grounds. After a break for lunch, we reconvened on the grounds for a sermon (the preacher was the Rt. Rev'd Gordon Mursell, bishop of Stafford) and a Procession of the Image of Our Lady around the Abbey Grounds and through the village of Walsingham to the Shrine. It was a marvelous celebration in perhaps England's holiest place. It was a really good day.

Fort Worth's Day in Court - well, at least, A day in court

2010-04-27T15:56:00.001-05:00

From L to R, Scott Brister, Shelby Sharpe for our side, Frank Gilstrap, John Nelson, and Kathleen Wells for theirs. We got 15 minutes, they got 15 minutes, and then we got 5 minutes to rebut. The peanut gallery was full on both sides of the central aisle. Oversimplifying greatly to summarize - Mr. Brister argued well for us that the court should and could rule in the matter before it on neutral principles of law. Mr. Gilstrap wanted the court to let TEC call all the shots deferring because TEC is hierarchical. We rebutted by reminding the court that we are talking about a Texas corporation and therefore the court could look at the matter and decide. We also clarified that TEC is not cleanly hierarchical - A diocesan convention cannot be called without a bishop and Standing Committee. An outside bishop cannot just come in and take charge - a reference to the PB's interference here. Someone has already asked me how I thought we fared. I would not venture to guess, I am not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV. I think we made good points, our guys seem pleased with how it went. But the tribunal was rightly guarded in their reactions. One judge did say to Gilstrap that he seemed to be arguing against his own argument at one point.

Brister said that if you googled - "The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth" you would get two responses - Us and Them. If you clicked on "I'm feeling lucky" you would get us. For whatever that may be worth, it was a light moment in the proceedings.

Ridiculous moment of the day - When Bishop Iker began to leave, Bishop Ohl intercepted him in the center aisle grabbing him by both upper arms and saying loud enough to be heard by me half a row away, "My brother, so good to see you!" I cannot begin to fathom what the Ohl man might have been thinking - but I think he might have behaved differently. Let's be realistic, they took us to court - I wouldn't rush to embrace someone I was suing unless I was prepared to drop the suit - and don't hold your breath, 'cause that ain't happening. Bishop Iker didn't appear to respond other than to break the grip and make an exit.

Keep saying your prayers.

Regina Coeli - St. Paul's K Street

2010-04-10T18:56:00.002-05:00

Diocesan Anglican - Orthodox Dialogue continues

2010-04-10T09:38:00.000-05:00

The dialogue committee for our diocese and the Diocese of the South of the Orthodox Church in America met yesterday in the library of St. Vincent's Cathedral school. From left to right: Fr Timothy Matkin, Fr Ron Drummond, Metropolitan Jonah (OCA), Fr Christopher Cantrell, Bishop Jack Iker, Fr Chuck Hough, Fr Joseph Fester (OCA), and Fr John Jordan. Several representatives from the Orthodox diocese were not able to be present because of distance/travel. Likewise Fr. Nelson Koscheski could not be with us either. It was a very good meeting. (Thanks to Fr. Matkin for the photo)

Christos Anesti!

2010-04-07T09:55:00.001-05:00

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!!
Christ is risen from the dead trampling down death by death
and bestowing life on those in the tomb!!

Holy Week

2010-03-30T18:33:00.000-05:00

We are in the midst of the best of weeks in the Church Year. We enter with joy this week into meditation on those mighty acts whereby our salvation was accomplished. It just doesn't get much better than this. I hope that you will find your way into this week. Certainly, you should try not to miss being with the Body of Christ on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. This Sunday will be much better for you if you do.

If you are in Fort Worth, come be with us. Our schedule is here.

Oh What Joyful News!

2010-03-25T07:02:00.004-05:00

I suspect that Mary may not have been totally overjoyed - at least at the outset. Gabriel did have to calm her fears. But the tidings the angel brought were the most joyful the world has ever heard. And Blessed Mary responded, "Be it unto me according to thy word." For her answer, for all of us, "Thanks be to God!" Happy Annunciation Day!

Blessed Saint Joseph's Day

2010-03-19T19:01:00.002-05:00

I hope you have all had a good Saint Joseph's Day. We do not give this man enough credit. He who had the vocation of raising the Messiah. Patron of the Catholic Church. St. Joseph, pray for us.

Lent Begins

2010-02-18T08:41:00.004-06:00

This year's Lent began for me yesterday with the arrival of my "unofficial" deposition letter from Bishop Wallis Ohl, the latest provisional bishop of the Episcopal Church's Diocese of Fort Worth. The letter seemed timed to arrive coincidentally with Lent. I say "unofficial" because the official certified letter is waiting for me at the post office. And there it will sit for all I care, I don't intend to expend the fuel to drive over there and pick it up - you know, Millennium Development Goals, carbon footprint and all that. One letter was more than enough anyway.

Just to be clear, after we voted to leave the fellowship of General Convention, those who didn't want to leave that fellowship got themselves organized as a diocese. I take issue with their claim to be the continuation of the diocese that was formed from the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas back in the early 80s. I understood at the time of our vote that my relationship with the Episcopal Church was ending. So they can have a diocese, I'm just not part of it, and their diocese is a new thing. And as far as I am concerned, Bishop Ohl, like his predecessor Bishop Gulick is not my bishop now, and never was in any authority over me (hence the graphic above left - nothing sinister, he's just not my bishop). And they have nothing to fear, I don't intend to function in the Episcopal Church as a member of the ordained ministry any more. I am a priest in good standing in the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. The Right Rev. Jack Leo Iker is my bishop.

So now, let Lent begin - Easter is at the other end.

2010 Diocesan Clergy Retreat

2010-01-29T17:17:00.002-06:00

Fr. David Houlding, the Master General of the Society of the Holy Cross (SSC) was the retreat leader of our annual diocesan clergy retreat. We spent this past Monday through Thursday at the Montserrat Jesuit Retreat House on Lake Dallas.

Fr. Houlding took as his theme the Lord's Prayer. The two videos below are the final meditation given on Thursday morning. The whole retreat was quite good.

More Good News

2010-01-18T19:22:00.002-06:00

In fact, that is the word we got from the Surgeon's office today - "It's all good news." Six lymph nodes, all negative for cancer. It was the best news we could have received. God is good.

Thanks be to God.

2010-01-14T09:59:00.002-06:00

I haven't been a very frequent poster of late mainly because of the press of life.

My wife Karen was diagnosed with breast cancer last month. Yesterday she had a mastectomy. The surgeon checked three of her lymph nodes during the surgery. All three nodes showed clear of cancer. That is what we have been praying for. Thanks be to God!!

I ask your prayers for her continued recovery - and that the full pathology report backs up what was seen at the time of surgery.

Glory to God in all things!

Blessed Epiphany

2010-01-06T07:05:00.005-06:00

On this day when we celebrate the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, may His life in you be a light to the world around you.

Veni Emmanuel

2009-12-23T07:17:00.000-06:00

The Whole Roman Enchilada

2009-11-09T08:46:00.001-06:00

Take a look at the Apostolic Constitution here.

A New Friend

2009-11-09T07:07:00.006-06:00

It was my pleasure to introduce OCA Archbishop DMITRI (recently retired) to the 27th annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth. His Eminence spoke to us of his admiration for one of our local heroes, Fr. Homer Rogers (a.k.a. "Padre"). Fr. Rogers married my parents, mentored my father, and has been a profound influence on my life and that of my family. The Archbishop also attended Padre's classes as a college student in Denton. He expressed deep gratitude for Padre's instructions and their value in his life.

I had a chance to visit with him a bit and am now very proud to call him a new friend. I got him to autograph two books of his that I have just finished - "The Kingdom of Heaven: The Sermon on the Mount" and "The Parables." I am looking forward to reading his commentaries on Hebrews and Romans. He is currently working on a commentary on the Gospel of Saint John.

He celebrated his 86th birthday just a week ago. May God give him strength and many more years! Bless Him!

Thanks to Suzanne Gill for the photo.

Fort Worth's Response

2009-10-21T08:51:00.002-05:00

I have read with great interest various reports concerning today's announcement from top officials in the Vatican about some new provisions being made whereby Anglicans may enter into full communion with the Holy See. For some time now I have understood that high-level discussions about this were taking place in Rome and that an announcement along these lines would be made before the end of the year. As today's announcement indicates, a new Apostolic Constitution is soon to be released which will spell out Pope Benedict XVI's response to Anglicans who wish to enter into full visible communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

Many Anglo-Catholics will welcome this development as a very generous and welcoming offer that enhances the Pastoral Provision that has been in place for several years for those seeking reunion with Rome. Other Anglicans who desire full communion with the See of Peter would prefer some sort of recognition of the validity of Anglican orders and the provision for inter-communion between Roman Catholics and Anglicans.

The virtues of the proposal as I understand it have to do with maintaining certain aspects of the Anglican way of worship, spirituality, and ethos while entering into full communion with the Pope. But of course, not all Anglo-Catholics can accept certain teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, nor do they believe that they must first convert to Rome in order to be truly catholic Christians.

This option to choose different paths comes at a difficult time for us as together we face the challenges of the litigation brought against us by the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Rather than making hasty decisions or quick resolutions, we will continue to work and pray together for the unity of Christ's holy catholic church throughout the world.

----The Rt. Rev. Jack Leo Iker is Bishop of Fort Worth

Images from Nashotah

2009-10-16T08:29:00.003-05:00

For some wonderful shots from the Anglican/Orthodox Conference at Nashotah House Click here: Courtesy of Michael Howell.

Nashotah Podcasts - In the Footsteps of Tikhon and Grafton

2009-10-13T19:34:00.002-05:00

Click Here to listen to the Addresses from the recent Anglican/Orthodox Conference at Nashotah House last week - “In the Footsteps of Tikhon and Grafton - Anglican and Orthodox Identity, Ministry and Mission in the 21th Century.”

Fond du Lac Circus II

2009-10-09T19:45:00.001-05:00

Woo Whoo!!

Anglican/Orthodox Dialogue

2009-10-09T13:29:00.009-05:00

It is really good to be back at Nashotah House. Even more so to be here for the Anglican/Orthodox Dialogue Conference - In the Footsteps of Saint Tikhon & Bishop Grafton.

And it is a fine thing to be hanging out with his beautitude Metropolitan Jonah of the OCA.

May God smile upon what we are discussing here. May we seize the moment he has provided us.

A Distinguished Visitor

2009-10-06T15:07:00.003-05:00

We were blessed to have as our guest last night for a men's meeting and today for a deanery clericus luncheon Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi of Jos Nigeria.

What a treat. And what a witness for the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This is a guy who has had his house burned down three times by the muslims - and suffered in so many other ways - and yet he speaks with joy and confidence.

A blessing.

Blessing the Beasts

2009-10-03T15:23:00.005-05:00

In anticipation of tomorrow's feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, we had our annual Blessing of the Beasts this morning. This year it was a clean sweep for the dogs. The Senior Warden brought three; Lottie, Major and Gunny. All in all, we had seven canines. Not a cat, pig, goat, or even a llama in sight.

Oh well, there is always next year.

Blessed Francis, remember and pray for us.

Blessed Michaelmass!!

2009-09-29T07:24:00.004-05:00

Happy and Blessed Michaelmas to you all!! Remember the angelic hosts this day - Give thanks for their faithfulness and protection!

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust down to hell Satan and all wicked spirits, who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.