Day 16, Monday 16th September. Gallur - Alagon (22kms)

After our long, hard day yesterday, we begin a gentler day with prayer and our pilgrim blessing song, as per usual.

Today our prayer intention focuses on the great Jesuit saint, Francis Borgia, who also became 3rd General of the Jesuit order, and considered by many the greatest after St Ignatius. He founded colleges in this area where we are walking and we have noticed streets named after him.

He had been a high ranking nobleman, married with 6 children. However, after his wife died and his children were settled as adults, he did the spiritual exercises with St Ignatius and decided to renounce his titles and status and join the Jesuits. The new order under Ignatius exploded in young men joining, soon to number 1000. It was in great need of organisation and structures for it to continue as a life giving community. St Francis Borgia provided that charism.

Today while we walk, we are praying that there be better life giving structures in our church, free of power politics, and clericalism, balanced with feminine and masculine energy, and inclusive of all gifts to be offered by the many and varied members of the church body.

The church of Gallur is our typical starting point with the now familiar crane nests on the roof.

The stature in the plaza is a tribute to dancers, musicians and poets! Many in the pilgrimage felt that was worth celebrating!

We then set off with 2 hours of silence meditating the earlier input of Michael Smith sj, who guides us on the Ignatian way with Ignatius' profound insights:

Ignatius was a man of immense ambitions and desire. He wanted to be a great saint, by seeking and finding the will of God. His legacy is the phrase:

"AMDG: ad majorem Dei gloriam, all for the greater glory of God."

Ignatius encourages us to ask the question: "What is God calling me to, that I can do, that no-one else can do?" It is a call to a discreet manner of loving - discerned love, not a driven activist love which soon burns out and is more from us than from God.The temptation is to attempt to do too many good things, not listening enough to what God wants of me TODAY, which is within my capacity and energy. I am never called to do more than is reasonable.

 

The farmers amongst us check out the many and varied harvests.

Lucerne hay this time - it is grown in abundance - good pig feed?

Pig farms abound and announce themselves quite pungently! Such is the source of the ubiquitous ham which comes with many meals in one form or another.

The beauty of nature follows us along the Ebro valley.

The daily cloud formations smile on us.

There are a few clowns on our pilgrimage - no names mentioned! However, the clown is the bearer of much wisdom, presented in a humble and jovial manner. Humour is a great gift, much in demand in today's serious and stressed world.

Every rest demands foot repair work!

Our constant companion, water, reminds us of its preciousness - and the life of the beloved, into which we were baptised, initiating us into a lifetime pilgrimage.

Wind power - the breath of the Holy Spirit empowers and renews us as we journey forward.

 

Sheep and a couple of donkeys distract us and provide cause for a rest!

Did someone ask, which is the donkey?

The Ebro flows on: the channels with terracing to the farmland dates to Roman times, and includes later Muslim engineering. We walk on holy ground!

We stop and celebrate the half way point of our journey: 320 kms completed!

Our exquisite meal tonight of the freshest of the fresh vegetables, came from these gardens, owned and sourced by the hotel family.

 

Yesterday, Cabañas de Ebro ad their "running of the bulls" - what a pity we missed out, or was it!

The streets barricaded for the bull run!

A delightful lunch in a bright little bar .......

.... with a sprightly hostess!

Another stretch of these pathway stones which pummel the feet into submission! What was it like for Ignatius without our well heeled boots!

On the home stretch.

Aragon will surprise you, the sign says! And it did!

Señora Pilar, a professor of history, enchanted us with her story of this ancient town, embracing Greek, Roman, Christian, Muslim and Jewish elements, all of which are still evident in the architecture and culture. The former Jesuit church has a fascinating history and astounding architecture, holding the influence of St Francis Borgia within its walls.

Guess what, as we end the day!

Check out Fr Michael Smith's blog for other angles and comments on our pilgrimage: http://ignatiancamino.com/

 

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