After our 50k day, we were pretty tired but still managed to get in an average 24kms of walking. We made it to the little town of Vega de Valcarce, nestled between the mountains on the way from the region of Castilla y Leon to Galicia. Overall, the day was enjoyable but it was still nice to get to our albergue and rest our sore legs and blistered feet (I got one between my toes three days ago that has since popped). I happened to make too much food for two people so we shared it with a fellow pilgrim and met two more Catholic. It all led to a good conversation in which we were happy to share a common faith. Many who walk the Camino do not have a religious motive so it is fun to meet fellow Catholics.
After dinner we headed to the local Church, where we expected to find Mass. Unfortunately this town is only one of the seven rural parishes that the local priest covers, so there ended up being no Mass today. Here is a shot of the small town yet beautiful church.
Due to staying in small villages or being exhausted from 50kms, we have not been able to get to Mass. It is a big change from seminary life at St. Andrew’s Hall, where, like every seminary, we attend Mass every day. Even at home, on breaks, we will attend Mass often, even if we sleep in a day or two out of the week. Today, when there turned out to be no Mass, it was painful. I really wanted to be present and receive the Eucharist. Even though I can’t understand everything at these Spanish Masses, and will use my phone to see the readings in English, it is still the same sacrament. I don’t know what the priest is saying most of the time, but I do know what is happening, and it is consoling just to be there and know that God is there too. In these past days without Mass, and every morning on the trail, I make a spiritual communion. I tell God that I love him and wish to receive him in the Eucharist, and I ask him to come into my soul spiritually. I united my will to his and ask him to be with me. Such a practice is good, but it still isn’t the same as Mass. So I look forward to tomorrow and continue to hope for Mass.
Tomorrow we don’t know exactly where we’ll stay, but we will be climbing about 700 meters of elevation over about 10kms. It will be a tough trip and a good way to culminate our half way mark of our entire European Pilgrimage.
Here are some photos from the past few days.
The sunrise
Cruz de Ferro. Sorry for the alignment…
A view of the clouds as we decended from the highest point of the Camino.
An eerie hike down through the clouds.
Luke a couple days again before we entered the city if Astorga. There was a Cross that marked the spot from when a bishop was expelled from his own city and fell to his knees.
Lastly, a picture of part of our route today because it is just too cool that we are walking in the middle of Spain, through the mountains, next to some highway. It is a blessing to be here among a ton of ordinary things that have gained an extraordinary significance thanks to the Camino.
-Michael